Biographical information: Dr. Noel Alpins
Practice: Private group practice, Cheltenham Eye Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Focus: Cataract/IOL and refractive surgery
Education: Medical degree (BS, MB), University of Melbourne, 1970; Diploma of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, 1977.
Residency: Alfred Hospital, Australia, 1971-72
Fellowships and Certifications: Ophthalmology Fellowship, Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital, Australia, 1974-77; Fellow, Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists, 1978; Fellow, Royal Australian College of Surgeons, 1978; Fellow, American College of Surgeons, 1985; and Fellow, Royal College of Ophthalmologists (UK), 1989.
Memberships: American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery; International Society of Refractive Surgery; Australian Medical Association.
Accomplishments: Developed the Alpins method of astigmatism analysis in 1991; founded ASSORT Pty. Ltd. in 1992 to market the ASSORT computer program. Is a recognized authority on astigmatism analysis; speaks and chairs symposia at major meetings; serves as reviewer for peer-reviewed journals. Performed first phacoemulsification procedure in Victoria. Was first surgeon in Australia to employ computerized outcomes and astigmatism analysis. Won the 1993 Borland Paradox Challenge for the ASSORT program. Patented his method for treating and analyzing astigmatism (U.S. patent 5,514,124; others pending in U.S. and other countries). Developed a new multizone, multipass algorithm for excimer laser myopia treatment adopted by the Melbourne Excimer Laser Group for patient treatment. Was nominated for inaugural Trokel Award for excellence in laser refractive surgery, 1994-95.
Publications: Has written numerous articles in newsmagazines and formal journals. Served on editorial board, Eyecare Technology magazine; and online consultation panel in areas of Cataract Surgery and Refractive Surgery, Ocular Surgery News.
Professional Activities: Member, Excimer Laser & Research Group, University of Melbourne. Member, Protocol & Ethics Committee, Excimer Laser & Research Group, University of Melbourne. Past chairman of the Como Private Hospital Theatre and Infection Committee, 1985-92.
Hobbies: Golf, skiing, rollerblading.
Personal Characteristics: Willing
to question authority and mainstream thinking in the pursuit of new methods
and better patient care. Possesses keen analytical mind for problem-solving.
Appreciates innovation born of the practical necessities of clinical practice
as opposed to esoteric research typical of academic settings. Aggressively
pursues continuing medical education to keep up with new developments.
| Eye surgeon Noel Alpins keeps his laptop computer on top of an excimer laser in the operating suite. On the laptop is installed the ASSORT program, developed by Dr. Alpins to improve the results of refractive eye surgery. ASSORT is negotiating with the manufacturers of refractive lasers and corneal topography machines to incorporate the Alpins astigmatism-analysis method into the programming of the instruments. As it is now, Dr. Alpins and his staff use the ASSORT program to calculate optimal laser settings, then manually enter the settings into the laser. |  |
Photographs, reprints of published articles and a complete CV are available on request. Contact assort@assort.com