Charles W McMonnies graduated from the University of New South Wales: BSc (1966), MSc (1970), DSc 2015. He conducted an optometric practice in Sydney (1966-2007) with special interests in contact lenses, dry eye syndromes and children’s vision. He is a member of Council for the International Society of Contact Lens Research and a member, past-president and a Fellow of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia. He is a life member of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of New Zealand.

He is a Board of Management member for the Optometric Vision Research Foundation and a Board member at the Brien Holden Vision Institute.

He was a lecturer, tutor, and clinical supervisor (Bachelor and Master of Optometry degrees School of Optometry and Vision Science, 1969-2000) and is currently an Honorary Professor. He is the author of three books, six text book chapters and 150 scientific and clinical papers.

He has been awarded Fellowship of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia, a UNSW Jubilee Medal, the Joseph Lederer Medal, the Keith Woodland Award and the British Contact Lens Society Medal. His current research interests include keratoconus, ocular surface disease, myopia control and glaucoma.