About
About Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals (VOR)
Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals is Adelaide’s only dedicated animal eye clinic with Adelaide’s only Registered Specialists in Veterinary Ophthalmology. We see animals with eye problems referred from general veterinary practice, and do not offer any general practice services.
Referral cases are seen in Adelaide from throughout South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Victoria and Western New South Wales. There is also a visiting service to North Queensland.
At Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals we aim to ensure clients return to their referring or usual veterinarian happy that everything within reason has been done to rectify their pet’s eye problem. We concentrate solely on ophthalmology and therefore get you to return to your general practice for any other ongoing health issues.
Business / Clinic History
1992
Dr Tony Read commences specialist training in Veterinary Ophthalmology at The Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, England. His mentor is Dr Keith Barnett, pictured centre below.
1995
After gaining specialist qualifications, Dr Read is approached to run an ophthalmology referral service in Wimbledon, London. By 1996 he has decided to return to Australia to establish his own referral practice.
1996
Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals (VOR) is established in Adelaide by Dr Read, Registered Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology. VOR commences operations in rented space at what is now the Adelaide Animal Emergency and Referral Centre on Anzac Highway.
2000
Dr Read establishes the Adelaide Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre (AVSARC) in Norwood, in partnership with Dr Ian Douglas, and operates Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals from this centre with other specialist services. AVSARC is the first purpose built veterinary referral centre in Australia. He remains a co-owner of AVSARC until 2008.
2008
Dr Read commences a visiting service to North Queensland, working out of host practices in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton, with trips scheduled every two to four months.
2011
Dr Read moves VOR from AVSARC to new dedicated ophthalmology-only premises on Anzac Highway.
2014
Dr Kellam Bayley, based in Wellington, NZ joins VOR as Dr Read’s first resident. He commences a visiting part-time European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ECVO) residency training program in Veterinary Ophthalmology under the mentorship of Dr Read, training for the specialist qualification: Diplomate of the ECVO.
2019
Dr Bayley passes all ECVO Board examinations and achieves veterinary specialist status. He is the first veterinarian to complete an Australasian based ECVO residency.
Dr Zoe Anastassiadis joins VOR as Dr Read’s second resident, commencing dual ECVO and ANZCVS (Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists) residency training programs, training for the specialist qualifications: Diplomate of the ECVO and Fellow of the ANZCVS. Dr Zoe Anastassiadis achieved fellowship in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2023.
2021
Dr Alex Verloop joins VOR as the third resident under Dr Read, commencing an ECVO residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology, training for the specialist qualification: Diplomate of the ECVO.
2021
Veterinary Ophthalmic Referrals celebrates its 25th year of business operations in Adelaide and 10th year at the dedicated ophthalmology-only premises on Anzac Highway. The team celebrated with an event at the Adelaide Zoo as well as hosting a series of ophthalmology seminars for local veterinarians.
