Private Service

Eye Centre Primecare

Hours

Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Clinics are also held by Dr Dalziel as follows:

. . . Fortnightly Tuesdays in Kerikeri from 9.30am

. . . Monthly Ruakaka, morning only

. . . Monthly Wellsford, afternoon only

Clinics for Dr Watts
.... Tuesday 9:00am - 12.00am

All referrals, appointments and enquiries should be done via Eye Centre Primecare in Whangarei.

Description

What is Ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is the branch of specialist medicine that is focused on the health of eyes and their surrounding tissues, including muscles, bones, eyelids, and tear production/drainage systems. Your eye is the organ of vision and consists of the cornea (the outer clear layer), the sclera (the white of the eye), the iris (the coloured part), the lens (lies behind the iris) and the retina (the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye). Your eyes ‘see’ by focusing light that enters the eye onto the retina which sends the image to the brain by the optic nerve.

Ophthalmologists are doctors who are trained in the study of eyes. Most will be trained in eye surgery and may have particular areas of interest or expertise. Dr Dalziel prefers not to prescribe glasses for adults and leaves this to optometrists.
Optometrists are not doctors but are trained in examining eyes and testing your vision to assess your need for glasses or contact lenses.
Opticians read prescriptions for visual correction, order lenses and dispense eye glasses and contact lenses.

Referral Expectations

A referral is not essential for you to be seen at Eye Centre - Primecare, and many patients are self-referred. However, a referral from either your optometrist or GP is helpful in providing us with detailed background information from your previous history.

New patients need to bring in all glasses currently worn (reading - distance) and a list of current medications.

Patients can expect to be here from 30-90 minutes, depending on whether they need dilating of the pupils, or more in depth tests.

You should arrange to have someone drive you home after your appointment as dilation of the pupil often occurs.

Common Conditions

Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common age-related occurrence in eyes but may be congenital.… More
Diabetic Retinopathy

This is a complication of diabetes and is caused by small blood vessel damage within the retina of the eye. It commonly affects both eyes and may cause permanent loss of vision. Macular oedema is sometimes also present with diabetic retinopathy. Macular oedema is when fluid leaks into the retina… More
Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and may result in vision loss and blindness. Multiple factors are often important in causing glaucoma, but it is most commonly related to in an increase in pressure in the eye.… More
Retinal Detachment

This is when the retina detaches, meaning it is lifted or separated from its normal position within the eye. An acute retinal detachment requires urgent assessment and appropriate treatment.… More
Squint (strabismus)

A weakness in one or more of the muscles of the eye will cause the eye to turn or move away from the normal position. This is commonly known as a squint.… More
Pterygium

A pterygium (pronounced "te-ridge-e-um") is a growth of thickened tissue that develops on the white part of the eye, usually on the nose side of the eye, and can extend on to the surface of the eye towards the iris (the coloured part of the eye).… More
Age-Related Macula Degeneration (AMD or ARMD )

Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over 50 years of age (legal blindness means that a person can see 6/60 or less with glasses). It is caused by the breakdown of the central portion of the retina (the… More
Avastin

Avastin (bevacizumab) intravitreal injection can be used for age related macular degeneration, abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina caused by diabetes, retinal vascular disease and macular oedema. As this is a new treatment many conditions are evolving that it can be used on.… More
Flasher & Floaters

For information on Flashers and Floaters click here More
Refractive Error: short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism

These conditions cause distance blur. In myopia, the eye has a resting focus at a near distance so that people will be able to see objects clearly at some point close to them, whilst the distance is blurry.… More
Enucleation, Evisceration, Artificial Eyes

Evisceration, Enucleation, and Exenteration are the three main surgical techniques by which all or part of the orbital contents are removed.… More
Meibomian Cyst or Chalazion

There are some important primary care issues for managing meibomian cysts:… More
Useful Websites

Glaucoma New Zealand: www.glaucoma.org.nz
Macular Degeneration: www.mdnz.co.nz
Retina NZ: www.retina.org.nz
Punctate Inner Choriopathy: www.pic-world.net… More

Charges

Prices current from 1st of May 2009

"Southern Cross Affiliated Provider and RSA Agreement holder"

	Whangarei	Out of Town
Base Fees
Initial Consultation - Adult	$145.00	$155.00
Initial Consultation - Child	$107.00	$117.00
Follow-up Consultation - Adult	$85.00	$95.00
Follow-up Consultation - Child	$64.00	$74.00
ACC - First Visit Nil ACC - Follow-up $43.00
Additional Charges
OCT Testing $84.00 (Cirrus) Visual Fields $38.00 Syringing Tear Ducts $27.00 Retinal Camera Photos $5.00 Chalazion Removal $165.00

FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES - OBTAIN A QUOTE/ESTIMATE

Cataract extraction and lens implant - local anaesthetic with standard monofocal lens $2900.00, extra for multifocal lenses.
Pterygium excision plus conjunctival graft - local anaesthetic from $830.00
Bilateral Upper Lid Blepharoplasty - from
Avastin Injection - For Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD, ARMD) - $830.00 per treatment

(These prices do not include the cost of pre-operative consultation)

A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY IS AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AGED 15 AND UNDER, WITH A COMMUNITY SERVICE OR HIGH USER CARD. (Provided the full subsidy for the year has not been fully used.)
Additional $10 for consultations at Kerikeri, Wellsford and Ruakaka: please note - some procedures cannot be performed at out of town clinics.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE DISCRETIONARY DISCOUNTS

Note: charges may change without notice

We are an affiliated Southern Cross Health Insurance provider for:

Initial /follow-up consultations
Pre-op consultations
Cataract extraction & IOL Implant
Removal pterygium with conjunctival graft (local anaesthetic)
Pan retinal Laser
Yag laser capsulotomy
Visual field
Retinal photography
Dilation
OCT testing
Syringing tear ducts
Three snip punctoplasty
Intraocular injection
Glasses refraction/script

Consultants

Dr David Dalziel

Ophthalmologist, Clinical Director Ophthalmology Northland District Health Board, Director Dr David Dalziel Ltd, Eye Centre Primecare

Dr Andrew Watts

Ophthalmologist

Refreshments

Cafe Narnia 74 Kamo Road, Ph (09) 437 7511

The Cake Tin 6/91 Kamo Road, Ph (09) 437 1733

Refuel Cafe ASB Leisure Centre, Western Hills Drive, Kensington, Ph (09) 437 3560

Public Transport

City Link Whangarei Bus Route Timetables

Single fare adult $3.00

Super Gold Card users are free between 9am - 3pm, after 6.30pm until the service finishes, weekends and public holidays.

Single fare child $2.00

Taxis
A1 Cabs LTD      Ph (09) 438 3377 or 0800 438 3377
Kiwi Cabs           Ph (09) 470 2299
Phoenix Cabs    Ph (09) 438 9933 or 0800 438 9933

Parking

Ample free off street parking.

Accommodation

Kensington Motel
85-87 Kamo Rd
Ph (09) 437 0555

Stonehaven Motel
30 Mill Road
Ph (09) 437 6898

Pharmacy

Kensington Pharmacy
4 Kensington Ave
Ph (09) 437 3722
Fax (09) 437 3726

Locations Information

Bream Bay Medical Centre
Northland

Contact Details

Phone (09) 972 7022
Fax (09) 437 9071

Street Address

Marsden Point Road
Ruakaka
Whangarei
Northland 0116

Postal Address

Eye Centre Primecare
Primecare
12 Kensington Ave
Kensington
Whangarei 0112

Map & more information

Click here for a map and more information about this location.