Dr Travers Weaver
B.Med.Sci · MBBS (Hons I) · FRANZCO
“My goal is to give every patient careful, compassionate care, guiding you through treatment with clarity and confidence.”
Dr Weaver is a specialist eye surgeon. He operates on cataracts, and on the retina, the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye. After his specialist training, he spent two more years in Canada training in retinal disease, retinal surgery and eye tumours. He performs about 1,000 operations a year, plus 1,500 to 2,000 procedures such as eye injections and laser.
Local roots, international training
Dr Weaver studied Medicine at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. He graduated with First Class Honours and the University Medal, and won prizes in Medicine, Surgery and Paediatrics. He has worked in eye care since 2012. He did his specialist training at Sydney Eye Hospital, where he was awarded the KG Howsam Gold Medal.
He was then chosen as the W.H. Ross Vitreoretinal Fellow at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, ranked first of 60 applicants from around the world. Supported by the Topham and Trevellyn-Smith scholarships, he spent two years there, training in retinal disease, retinal surgery and eye tumours.
Back in Australia, he was a visiting specialist in the retinal unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane until 2025. There he performed complex retinal surgery and taught trainee eye surgeons. He is a staff specialist at Gold Coast University Hospital. He also provides public cataract and pterygium surgery at Murwillumbah District Hospital for people in Northern NSW.
Research & teaching- University of SydneyBachelor of Medical Science (B.Med.Sci)
- Griffith UniversityMBBS, First Class Honours and University Medal
- 2012Began working in ophthalmology
- Sydney Eye HospitalOphthalmology specialist training · KG Howsam Gold Medal
- University of British Columbia, VancouverW.H. Ross Vitreoretinal Fellow (two years)
- FRANZCOFellow, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, BrisbaneVisiting specialist, retinal unit (until 2025): complex retinal surgery and training
- Gold Coast University HospitalStaff specialist: public surgery and surgical teaching
- Murwillumbah District HospitalPublic cataract and pterygium surgery for Northern NSW
- CASA-designated ophthalmologistAssessments for pilots and aviation personnel
What an international subspecialty fellowship means
In Australia, becoming an eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) takes a medical degree and several years working in hospitals. This is followed by five years of specialist training with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
A subspecialty fellowship is one to two extra years of full-time training in one part of the eye. A vitreoretinal fellowship focuses on the back of the eye. It covers retinal detachment repair, macular hole and membrane surgery, complex cataract and lens problems, and eye injuries. It also covers treatment of macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.
Dr Weaver did two years of fellowship training overseas, at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Training in another country means seeing a wide range of complex cases, learning different surgical techniques and working with colleagues from around the world. He has kept learning since, through research, clinical trials and teaching.
Training pathway
- Medical degreeGriffith University, First Class Honours
- Hospital and ophthalmology experienceWorking in ophthalmology from 2012
- Specialist ophthalmology trainingSydney Eye Hospital, leading to FRANZCO
- Vitreoretinal subspecialty fellowshipTwo years, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Consultant practiceGold Coast, Tweed Heads and Northern NSW
Prizes and awards
- KG Howsam Gold MedalAwarded during ophthalmology training at Sydney Eye Hospital, for the top ophthalmology candidate in Australia and New Zealand
- W.H. Ross Vitreoretinal FellowshipUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver. Awarded to the highest-ranked fellowship candidate among 60 international applicants
- Topham and Trevellyn-Smith scholarshipsAwarded on merit application, supporting two years of fellowship training in Canada
- University MedalGriffith University, awarded for outstanding academic achievement, together with First Class Honours in Medicine
- Prizes in Medicine, Surgery and PaediatricsGriffith University, awarded for placing first in each subject
- Queensland Health ScholarshipAwarded to study Medicine
Areas of interest
- Retinal tears and retinal detachment
- Macular holes, vitreomacular traction and epiretinal membranes
- Routine and complex cataract surgery, including secondary lens implants and IOL exchange
- Troublesome floaters
- Macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic eye disease
- Vitreous haemorrhage
- Eye injuries
- Ocular oncology
- Pterygium surgery
Outside the clinic
Dr Weaver lives on the southern Gold Coast with his wife and three young sons, and enjoys the beach, fishing, surfing, hiking and snowboarding.
What to expect
Allow up to two hours. Several scans are usually done before you see Dr Weaver, and dilating drops mean you shouldn’t drive afterwards.
History
Your eye and general health history, medicines and what you’ve noticed.
Imaging
Detailed scans and photographs chosen for your condition.
Consultation
Findings explained clearly, with all of your options and time for questions.
Plan
A clear plan, written information and an estimate of fees if surgery is advised.
Imaging available in the rooms
Where Dr Weaver operates
Miami Private Hospital
Miami, Gold Coast · Private
Visit websitePacific Private Hospital
Southport, Gold Coast · Private
Visit websiteTweed Day Surgery
Tweed Heads · Private
Visit websiteGold Coast University Hospital
Public surgery
Murwillumbah District Hospital
Public cataract & pterygium surgery
DetailsTalk to Dr Weaver about your eyes
A referral from your GP or optometrist is needed to claim Medicare rebates. Our team can help with bookings at Robina and Tweed Heads.