Counties Manukau Health Ophthalmology

Public Service, Ophthalmology

Today

Middlemore Hospital

Open today 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

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.

Optometrists are university trained professionals who diagnose eye disease, assess visual function, and prescribe spectacles and contact lenses as appropriate. Optometrists with TPA (therapeutic) endorsement may also prescribe a range of topical medicines (drops and ointment) for use in the eye.

Current Optometrists are:

Vicky Wang
Rebecca Findlay
Debra So
Deepa Kumar
Vandana Kumar
Sandhya Mathews

Orthoptists are specially trained Allied Health professionals who work closely with ophthalmologists and optometrists. Orthoptists examine, diagnose and manage conditions related to eye movement problems and defects with how the eyes work together as a pair (binocular vision). As a result, they assess a large variety of disorders and patients of all ages from neonates to the elderly. They are experts in investigating any abnormal eye movements (ocular motility disorders), misalignment of the eyes (strabismus/squint), reduced vision during childhood visual development (amblyopia) and double vision (diplopia).

Current orthoptists are:

Miriam Langeslag-Smith
Grace Yung

Consultants

Dr Anmar Abdul-Rahman

Ophthalmologist
Dr Nadeem Ahmad

Ophthalmologist
Dr Qazi Ali

Ophthalmologist
Dr Rasha Altaie

Ophthalmologist
Dr Dean Conger

Ophthalmologist
Dr Simon Dean

Ophthalmologist
Dr Julia Escardo-Paton

Ophthamologist
Dr Yi Wei Goh

Ophthalmologist
Dr Arvind Gupta

Ophthalmologist
Dr Penny McAllum

Ophthalmologist
Dr Catherine McMurray

Ophthalmologist
Dr Siddharth Ogra

Ophthalmologist
Dr Monika Pradhan

Ophthalmologist
Dr Graham Reeves

Head of Department - Ophthalmologist
Dr Sivasuthan Kanapathippillai

Ophthalmologist
Dr Jim Stewart

Ophthalmologist
Dr Tracey Wong

Ophthalmologist
Dr Joel Yap

Ophthalmologist

Ages

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

How do I access this service?

Referral

Referrals to the service are received from:

GPs
Optometist
Plunket
B4 Schools Screening Programme
ADHB following acute assessment
Private ophthalmologists
Internal referrals
Other DHBs

Referral Expectations

The preferred method of referrals is by e-referral

Charges

There are no charges for services to public patients if you are lawfully in New Zealand and meet one of the Eligibility Directions specified criteria set by the Ministry of Health. If you do not meet the criteria, you will be required to pay for the full costs of any medical treatment you receive during your stay.

To check whether you meet the specified eligibility criteria, visit the Ministry of Health website.

For any applicable charges, please phone the Accounts Receivable Office on (09) 276 0060.

Hours

Middlemore Hospital

Open today 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mon – Fri	8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common age-related occurrence in eyes. The lens becomes thicker and stiffer and appears yellow and cloudy.… 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
Discharge Instruction Leaflets

If you are an Ophthalmology patient and have surgery, on discharge you will receive discharge instruction leaflet/s. … 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
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
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
Squints (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 focusing position. This is commonly known as a squint.… More

Wheelchair Access

Yes

Document Downloads

Referral Guidelines - Glaucoma (PDF, 369.4 KB)
Counties Manukau District Health Board will only accept referrals for assessment and treatment of glaucoma using this document.