Dr. Brad Kirkwood

Brad has over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmic care and brings a diverse knowledge and clinical expertise to his optometric practice.   He has a Bachelor of Nursing from Central Queensland University and a Certificate in Ophthalmic Nursing from the Sydney Eye Hospital. He has achieved a Master of Arts Degree in Practitioner Development (Ophthalmic Practice Route) from Manchester Metropolitan University, England. He worked with his father and local Ophthalmologist Dr Rod Kirkwood for a few years assisting him in his clinic and in the operating theatre.

He has worked as an Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, England and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide. He pioneered the role of Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner for Australia. While working in the role of Nurse Practitioner he worked in Ophthalmology clinics. He ran nurse-led clinics including pre and postoperative cataract, diabetic retinopathy screening and emergency eye clinics. He also worked in ophthalmology, corneal and external eye clinics, performed fluorescein angiograms, minor lid surgical procedures and operating room surgical assisting. He was granted therapeutic and pathology privileges. Whilst working in tertiary ophthalmology clinics, he gained exposure to an array of pathology and the management of such cases.

He was awarded a Foundation Fellowship from Australia College of Nurse Practitioners for his contribution to establish and evolve the role of a nurse practitioner in Australia. He was also awarded the prestigious Edna Ashy Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Nurses in 2011, in recognition of the contribution a member is making to expand ophthalmic nursing knowledge and literature.

He attained a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (Optometry)(Honours) in 2008 and Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2010 from Queensland University of Technology. During 2011, he was a lecturer at Flinders University Optometry and Vision Science academic team establishing the new optometry course. He purchased  Eyes R Us in 2012. He utilises his clinical knowledge and skills on a daily basis with referrals from medical staff, allied health professionals and optometrists. He remains on the optometry academic staff at Flinders University in the role of adjunct lecturer. In 2017, he was awarded a Fellowship with the Australian College of Optometry for making a significant contribution to the profession, clinical practice and is held in high esteem within the profession.

He has published extensively in peer-reviewed ophthalmology, optometry, ophthalmic nursing, medical journals. He has two chapters on the cornea in the ophthalmic care textbooks. His research project for Master of Arts degree was ‘The effects of selective suture removal on penetrating keratoplasty astigmatism’. He has a special interest in ocular diseases and ocular therapeutics. He has been invited to chair the “Masterclass in Therapeutics” Session at the evidence-based optometry conference in Adelaide since 2014. He also lectures to the final year Flinders University optometry students about therapeutics, a role in which he thoroughly enjoys imparting his experience and knowledge.

• Kirkwood BJ. Clinical Assessment of Patients with Cataract. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2008 Jul-Sep; 33(3):10-17.
• Kirkwood BJ. Ocular surface dyes for clinical practice. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2008 Jan-Mar; 33(1):23-26.
• Kirkwood BJ. Recurrent corneal erosion: characteristics and management options. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2007 Oct-Dec; 32(4): 14-19 (Continuing Nursing Education Article)
• Kirkwood BJ. Acanthamoeba keratitis – an overview. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2007 Jul-Sept; 32(3): 16-20 (Continuing Nursing Education Article)
• Kirkwood BJ. Normal flora of the external eye. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2007 Jan-Mar; 32(1): 12-13.
• Klebe S, Kirkwood BJ, Coster DJ. Delayed surface opacification of a hydroview intraocular lens. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2006 Nov; 89(6): 386-9.
• Kirkwood BJ. Mesopic vision following keratorefractive surgery. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2006 Jul-Sep; 31 (3): 7-8
• Kirkwood BJ. Why do humans blink? A short review. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2006 Jul-Sep; 31(3): 15-17
• Kirkwood BJ, Pesudovs K, Latimer P, Coster DJ. The efficacy of a nurse-led preoperative cataract assessment and postoperative care clinic. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2006. Sept; 142(3): 536 [Abstract]
• Kirkwood BJ, Pesudovs K, Latimer P, Coster DJ. The efficacy of a nurse-led preoperative cataract assessment and postoperative care clinic. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2006. Aug; 142(2): 368 [Abstract]
• Kirkwood BJ, Pesudovs K, Latimer P, Coster DJ. The efficacy of a nurse-led preoperative cataract assessment and postoperative care clinic. Medical Journal of Australia. 2006 Jul 3; 185(1): 49 (author reply to comment)
• Kirkwood BJ, Pesudovs K, Latimer P, Coster DJ. The efficacy of a nurse-led preoperative cataract assessment and postoperative care clinic. Medical Journal of Australia. 2006 Mar 20; 184(6): 278-81. 
• Kirkwood BJ. A short history of corneal transplantation commemorating 100 years. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2006 Jan-Mar; 31(1): 15
• Kirkwood BJ, Coster DJ, Essex RW. Ophthalmic nurse practitioner led diabetic retinopathy screening. Results of a 3-month trial. Eye. 2006 Feb; 20(2): 173-177.
• Kirkwood BJ, Pesudovs K, Loh RS, Coster DJ. Implementation and evaluation of an ophthalmic nurse practitioner emergency eye clinic. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 2005 Dec; 33(6): 593-7.
• Kirkwood BJ, Kirkwood RA. Driving and pupil dilation: Implications for ophthalmic nurses and technicians. Insight: The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, 2005 Oct-Dec; 30(4): 22