Dr Thiagalingam is a general Ophthalmologist. She obtained her undergraduate medical degree at Otago University before moving to Sydney and undertaking specialist ophthalmology training at Sydney Eye Hospital. Following this she completed a fellowship in Ocular Pathology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston USA (Harvard Medical School) before returning to work in Sydney in 2008.

In addition to MetWest Eye Centre, Dr Thiagalingam is a visiting medical officer at Concord Repatriation General Hospital where she is involved in teaching junior doctors and medical students.

Dr Thiagalingam has also completed a Master of Public Health with Honours at Sydney University. She is committed to research and has authored a number of articles published in peer-reviewed international journals.