The ‘Working Life’ Category

Research undertaken in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) at The University of Auckland has led to commercialisation of a daily disposable soft contact lens designed to correct vision and at the same time slow the progression of myopia in children and teenagers.

Just one year out from beginning their career in optics, most students have little understanding of what is happening out there in the ‘real world’.

Since 2005, Essilor has been sponsoring a copy of NZ Optics to each of the final year students to give them an insight into the industry.

Optometrists who have not shown competence in the use of DPAs (diagnostic pharmaceutical agents) by March 31 are unlikely to be permitted to practise. It is estimated that at least 10 optometrists have chosen not to apply for this certification and will not be seeking to renew their Annual Practising Certificate (APC).

Practicing optometrist and recent graduate Ernest Khoo was quick to seize the opportunity to be part of Luxottica’s recent OneSight clinic to the Phayao province of northern Thailand.

Being an Optometrist can be stressful and challenging. Eyez looks to bring together resources to make life as an Optometrist easier. These resources come in the form of informative blogs, active forums, resources on organisations, video interviews, Current Optom vacancies (coming soon!) and much more. The Eyez founders found that by providing these resources Optometrists would be less inclined to make the mistakes of their predecessors.

No NZAO Conference would be complete without the annual entertaining Alan Styles Memorial Debate. Jack Crawford, debater extraordinaire, optometrist and partner at Fairmaid, Chance & Crawford in Dunedin participated in the debate and presents here a fairly unbiased and balanced view of the event.

Last year’s Debate winners, Waikato-BOP, were unable to rustle up a team to defend their title, so at the 11th hour Wellington were shoulder-tapped to produce a team, and not long after Otago were press-ganged into being the challengers.

Auckland’s Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS) is looking to establish itself as the premier School of Optometry and Vision Science in Australasia and is wanting to more fully engage with the profession in the pursuit of this strategic goal.

In his address to open the 79th annual conference of the New Zealand Association of Optometrists, Professor Paul Donaldson, Chair of Optometry and Vision Science, said there needs to be strategic initiatives put in place to achieve this goal. He outlined some of the challenges to achieve this including how it could be resourced and what it will mean for the profession.

A 59 year old Paraparaumu woman has become the first New Zealander to be fitted with a Boston keratoprosthesis with surgery performed at Wellington Public Hospital by Wellington ophthalmologist Andrew Logan.

The patient originally had surgery for removal of corneal ‘fibromas’ at the age of one year and subsequently had x-ray therapy performed at the age of two. She developed radiation cataracts and had the right cataract removed at the age of 5. Her vision at that time improved to 6/24. The left eye was considered amblyopic and was not operated on.

In the current economic environment where many retailers are pulling out all the stops to attract that ellusive consumer dollar, Specsavers has launched a new consumer campaign discounting its eye exam fee to $10.

From what NZ Optics understands the $10 fee was a corporate decision.

Concerns about devaluing professional services offered by optometrists are foremost in the communications that NZ Optics has received on this topic from all across the country.

When selling your practice, it is not the most desirable time for practice owners to demonstrate their “Kiwi DIY” ability. For many they are selling their second most valuable asset beside their home. You wouldn’t attempt to sell your home without professional advice, so why would you sell your business without professional advice from both your chartered accountant and lawyer?