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Counties Manukau Health Ophthalmology

Public Service

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 not doctors but are trained in testing your vision to assess your need for glasses or contact lenses. Some also test for glaucoma.
Current Optometrists are:
  • Vicky Wang

Consultants

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 PDF

  • Discharge Instruction Leaflets

    If you are an Ophthalmology patient and have surgery, on discharge you will receive discharge instruction leaflet/s.  … More PDF

  • 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

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.

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.

Contact Details

Middlemore Hospital

South Auckland

Patient Enquiries (09) 276 5004 
Information or Visiting Hours (09) 270 4799
 
Outpatient appointments & surgical booking enquiries:
Ph (09) 277 1660 | Fax (09) 277 1600
Email: Customerservice@middlemore.co.nz

Emergency Department: Open 24 hours / 7 days, Phone (09) 276 0000

Level 3
Galbraith Building
Middlemore Hospital

Information about this location

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Street Address

Level 3
Galbraith Building
Middlemore Hospital

Postal Address

Private Bag 93311
Otahuhu
Auckland 1640
New Zealand

Manukau SuperClinic™

South Auckland

More details…

This page was last updated at 1:33PM on February 13, 2019. This information is reviewed and edited by Counties Manukau Health Ophthalmology.