June 2017

THE MAGAZINE FOR NEW ZEALAND’S OPHTHALMIC COMMUNITY
PO BOX 106 954, AUCKLAND CITY 1143
Email: info@nzoptics.co.nz Website: www.nzoptics.co.nz
JUNE 2017
FRI 7 – SUN 9
JULY 2017
INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION
CENTRE SYDNEY
A BRAND
NEW
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PROFILE-ANZ.COM
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
LIFTING THE PROFILE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
At Specsavers in Australia and New Zealand, our optometrists and dispensers
have access to a growing array of professional development activities and
materials – some delivered locally, some nationally and now, some online.
What’s more, increasingly some of our programs are open to all – with this year’s
big ticket items being the Specsavers Clinical Conference (SCC) for optometrists,
the all-new Specsavers Dispensing Conference (SDC) and our online CPD
materials – available on ProFile.
With more than 100 optometry CPD points offered by our professional
development and optometry teams last year and a new standard in dispensing
development now emerging, Australian and NZ optical professionals can keep
up-to-date and informed at the newly launched profile-anz.com and sister site
spectrum-anz.com.
We welcome optometry, DRP and dispensing case study contributions
from all optometrists and dispensers. Please contact ProFile editor
Stephanie Chan on steph.chan@specsavers.com for details.
Look out for our case study competitions on the website –
all entries welcomed!
Professional Development – Some Key Activities
Activity Style Month
Graduate Induction
National Workshop
Specsavers Dispensing Conference – new! (SDC) Roadshow July
February
and August
Ophthalmology – in-store education Store Ongoing
Specsavers Clinical Conference (SCC) National Conference September
Grand Rounds Roadshow April and June
Mentor Workshops Roadshow Multiple/ongoing
Graduate Program events Roadshow Multiple/ongoing
Online CPD
Optometry, DRP and Dispensing Case Studies
And lots, lots more…
Online at
profile-anz.com
Online at
profile-anz.com
Monthly
Monthly
Voted by New Zealanders
Reader’s Digest
Quality Service
Award
2017
Best Customer
Service in NZ
Optometry
2017
Millward Brown
Research
No.1 for eye tests
2016
Excellence in
Marketing
Award
2016
Retail
Store Design
Award
2016
Retail
Employer
of the Year
2015
Overall
National
Supreme Winner
2015
Franchise
Innovation
Award
2015
NZ Franchise
System of
the Year
2014
Retail
Innovator
of the Year
2014
FCA Social
Responsibility
Award
2014
2 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

MOH advisory group lead named
Hamilton-based ophthalmologist
Dr Stephen Ng has been named as
the clinical leader of the National
Ophthalmology Service improvement
programme. This expert advisory group is
being established to lead national service
improvements and help district health
boards (DHBs) improve their ophthalmology
services to tackle increasing treatment
backlogs across the country.
Dr Ng has been the lead driver in bringing
the backlog problems to the government’s
attention, both as a DHB consultant
ophthalmologist and as chair of the New
Zealand branch of the Royal Australian and
New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
(RANZCO). He was heavily involved in
RANZCO’s campaign to bring the plight of
many patients to the media’s attention last
year, which has continued this year. This
action led to the Ministry of Health’s decision
to provide up to $2 million to assist DHBs “to
develop, implement or improve care models
to best support their district’s eye health” in
December last year.
Handing the RANZCO NZ chair’s chains-ofoffice
to Northland ophthalmologist Dr Brian
Kent-Smith at the branch’s annual conference
in Paihia in mid-May, Dr Ng made an
emotional and powerful speech about how
patient care was and always should be at the
heart of everything ophthalmologists do.
The increasing problem with patient waiting
lists, has arisen from artificial government
health targets that prioritise new referrals
to DHBs over patient follow-up visits; an
aging population; and increasingly effective
treatments, such as bevacizumab (Avastin)
for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
RANZCO has worked on these issues for
some time, said Dr Ng, and he’s pleased the
government is now finally tackling the issue
and he has the opportunity to continue to
help drive those changes.
When announcing the $2 million extra spend
for ophthalmology services last December, the
government said this was
just the beginning and it
would also be working to
improve ophthalmological
clinical prioritisation
tools and processes (see
column, p4); guidance
to inform a nationally
consistent approach to
follow up management;
and evaluations of
models of care and
workforce modelling.
The latter includes the
commissioning of the Tier
3 (model-of-care) report
by consulting firm E&Y
into AMD, identified as a
priority by the National
Health Committee (NHC)
at the end of 2015, and due Dr Stephen Ng
to be released in July.
Speaking to NZ Optics in May, Jessica
Smaling, electives and national services
manager at the Ministry of Health, said the
Ministry is continuing to work closely with
RANZCO and the DHBs to tackle this problem.
As well as Dr Ng, the National
Ophthalmology Service improvement
group will include other members of
RANZCO, professional organisations, DHBs
and stakeholder groups, said Smaling.
“The group will provide advice to the
Ministry on medium and long-term service
improvements for access and management
of ophthalmology patients. It is anticipated
the group’s first meeting will occur before
the end of the current financial year.
Although the Ministry can’t pre-empt
what the group will advise, we expect
improvements in national processes to
reduce variation and encourage regional
collaboration.”
A whole of ophthalmology tool, also
known as the non-cataract ophthalmology
tool, has also been developed by the
clinical prioritisation
working group,
chaired by Auckland
ophthalmologist Dr
Dean Corbett. This is
currently being trialled
by two, undisclosed,
DHBs. Once tested and
approved, this webbased
suite of tools
for prioritising elective
ophthalmology
surgery will be
rolled out across all
DHBs as part of the
national improvement
programme, replacing
current ophthalmology
clinical prioritisation
tools.
The government also
said it was looking
at improvements at the DHB service level
to tackle the problems, including local and
regional activities around improved capacity
and demand planning, improved referral
management, consistent prioritisation for
access and/or increasing the contribution
of optometrists and ophthalmic nurses. The
DHBs had to submit their plans to tap the
$2 million in extra funding by the end of
February 2017. No further announcements
have been made since.
Dr Ng specialises in orbital, oculoplastic
and lacrimal surgery, but also practices
general ophthalmology. He’s been a
consultant ophthalmic, oculoplastic and
orbital surgeon at Waikato Hospital since
2000 and also works part-time in private
practice at Hamilton Eye Clinic. He’s actively
involved in research into skin cancers around
the eye, techniques of eyelid reconstruction
and thyroid eye disease and, due to his
RANZCO commitments, national advocacy
activities, such as lobbying the government
to improve patient care. ▀
Tackling issues with
inspiration
EDITORIAL
The waitlist debacle for follow-up eye appointments
continued over the last month, with media in the
North Island finally gaining responses to their Official
Information Act requests to find out how bad the problem
is in the North, compared with their already apologetic
counterparts in the South. But the public pressure RANZCO
brought to bear upon the government is gaining traction,
with more budget and more eye health professional-led
working groups tasked with tackling the problem (see
stories this page and page 4.)
The frustrating thing is the time it’s taken the
government to act, and the sad fact that it didn’t act
until the media released the terrifying news to the
public that some of them were going blind because of
the government’s and the DHBs refusal to tackle the
problem. This shows the importance of a good professional
association’s ability to promote their members’ expertise
through the media to effect change from the man-in-thestreet
to the highest levels of government.
I often receive stories and press releases from across the
ditch about how optometrists and ophthalmologists have
saved someone’s sight, but very little of that is released
here. Hopefully RANZCO’s PR success will inspire others
working to promote the industry in all its forms to share
more good news about just how wonderful the work is
most of you do on a day-to day basis.
Equally inspiring are our World Masters (see p6). Huge
congratulations to you all. It was a real pleasure putting
this story together, so we can’t thank you enough for
sharing.
We’ve got all the exciting news of what’s coming up at
ODMA (p10-18) and, if that wasn’t enough inspiration for
you, flick to page 26, to our wonderful Chalkeyes who this
week steps aside to present the tale of the industry’s now
best-known recovering racist.
Enjoy.
Lesley Springall, publisher, NZ Optics
Volunteer for something
special
BY EVAN BROWN & GRANT DABB,
CLINICAL CO-DIRECTORS OF SOLCIOENZ
Special Olympics Lions Club International
Opening Eyes (SOLCIOE) is an international
programme which provides vision care for
Special Olympic athletes with an intellectual
disability.
From Sunday 26 November to Friday 1
December 2017, the New Zealand chapter of
SOLCIOE will conduct vision screening at the
National Special Olympics Games in Wellington.
We hope to encourage as many optometrists,
optometry students and dispensing opticians
as possible to volunteer their time during these
six special days, when we expect to screen
and provide care and advice to more than 800
athletes.
Working with Special Olympic athletes
is definitely one of the best professional
experiences we have had and we are confident
you will feel the same. Rotating through different
screening stations and working with new
equipment and challenging patients provides
you with an invaluable learning opportunity,
enabling you to acquire and develop skills for
examining populations with special needs.
Athletes that fail the screening are refracted
and dispensed eyewear donated by Safilo,
lenses by Essilor and sports frames by Liberty
Optical Sports Vision Products. In addition to
the screening, there will be one hour of valuable
(and free!) continuing education for all event
volunteers.
Since 2001, this programme has screened
more than 3000 people and dispensed more
than 1100 pairs of spectacles to Special athletes.
Please help us to help these athletes with
intellectual disabilities and to make this “Special
Olympics Lions Club International Opening
Eyes” programme a success by registering your
participation. There is even a limited budget
to help volunteers with accommodation if you
travel to Wellington from outside the area. There
Budding athletes from eight years old on can compete in the
Special Olympics
is a cap though, so please apply early.
To register as a volunteer, or for further
information, email Evan Brown at eb@
evanbrown.co.nz and we will send you the
registration pack. For planning purposes, we
require all registrations before 30 June, 2017.
We need you, your skills and your willingness to
participate and learn! Please come and help this
important and wonderful part of New Zealand’s
community and learn how rewarding it is to be a
New Zealand volunteer.
We Look forward to having you join us to
make a difference in the lives of Kiwis with an
intellectual disability and a vision disability!
For more visit: http://www.specialolympics.
org ▀
LEAVE A LEGACY
OF VISUAL FREEDOM.
TECNIS ®
PRESBYOPIA-CORRECTING IOLs
TECNIS is a trademark owned by or licensed to Abbott Laboratories, its subsidiaries or affiliates. All other trademarks are the intellectual property of their respective owners.
AMO Australia Pty. Limited. Level 3, 299 Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. AMO Australia Pty. Limited (Incorporated in Australia) PO Box 401, Shortland Street, Auckland, 1140.
© 2017 Abbott Medical Optics Inc. | www.vision.abbott | PP2017CT0286
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June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
31/3/17 5:12 pm
3

News
in brief
REVIEW REVEALS DELAYS EXTENT
An external review into the true effect of eye appointment delays
in the Southern DHB found up to 34 patients suffered moderate
to major vision loss over a 15-month period to October last year,
and more than 3,400 patients are still overdue for follow-up care.
The review, conducted by Counties Manukau ophthalmologist Dr
James Stewart and Wellington-based consultant Kate MacIntyre,
recommended preventing blindness should be key when prioritising
patients. Southern DHB said it should have reduced waiting lists to
zero by September (see stories, this page and p3).
EARLY DETECTION OF DR
IBM researchers in Australia have achieved 86% accuracy in
identifying diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity, the highest score to
date. Using deep learning, image analytics and pathology insights,
the new IBM vision technology classified the severity of the disease
as no DR, mild, moderate, severe and proliferative DR. A quick and
more accurate identification of DR severity could help clinicians
better understand disease progression to determine treatment, said
researchers.
HOYA INVESTS IN IOLS
HOYA made a multi-million-dollar investment in LensGen, a
Californian-based company that’s developing Juvene, described as
the world’s first modular, fluid-optic accommodating intraocular
lens (IOL) for the treatment of cataract and presbyopia. The new
Juvene lens copies the eye’s natural ability to change shape and
adjust focus, like the autofocus of a camera, said LensGen.
DAILIES OVERTAKE MONTHLIES
Daily contact lens sales have surpassed monthlies in the US,
accounting for 38.1% of the market compared to 31.5% in January
2016, an increase of 21% on the previous year. US daily lens sales
are now growing faster than any other segment with peaks driven
by new products, despite new CL wearer numbers remaining flat.
EMPLOYEES WANT VISION CARE
A survey by Transitions discovered that 98% of employees believe
that including vision benefits as part of an overall company health
package shows an employer cares about its employees’ wellbeing.
A further 87% said they would be more likely to stay with
a company which offered high quality vision benefits, such as
coverage of premium lens and frame options.
IFE FOR VISION IMPAIRED
Virgin Australia is the first airline in Asia Pacific and the second
in the world to introduce an in-flight entertainment (IFE) userinterface
designed to make content more accessible for visionimpaired
passengers. The new interface has a more simplified
layout, larger icons and voice prompts. Developed by Cokinetic
Systems, the interface is available on VA’s Boeing 777-300ER
aircrafts and, soon, on the Airbus A330 fleet.
READING DISORDERS TEST
RightEye, a US-based eye-tracking technology company, has
launched a new reading disorder test to differentiate eye
movement issues from other reading disorders to allow earlier
and more appropriate intervention, it said. The test uses different,
age-appropriate stories to identify and compare metrics to assess
oculomotor abilities when reading, including words per minute,
fixations, saccades and regressions.
RETINA CELLS REDUCE JET LAG?
An Edinburgh University study published in the Journal of
Physiology, has uncovered a new group of cells in the retina that
send signals directly to the region of the brain that regulates our
daily (circadian) rhythms. Professor Mike Ludwig said the finding
could open new therapeutic possibilities for restoring biological
clocks in people suffering from jet lag or working night-shifts.
TOOTH SAVES EYESIGHT
A blind man had his eyesight restored by Sydney surgeons who
sewed his tooth into his eyeball. The procedure, reported in the
Sydney Daily Telegraph, involved planting a tiny lens inside the
tooth to reflect light onto the back of the eye. By using the patient’s
own tooth, the patient’s body doesn’t reject the implant. The osteoodonto-keratoprosthesis
operation was performed at Sydney Eye
Hospital, completely restoring the sight of the 72-year-old patient
who had lost his vision through the herpes virus.
NEW DR MOLECULE IDENTIFIED
Researchers at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of
Miami have identified a new molecule responsible for the formation
of abnormal blood vessels in the eyes of diabetic mice. Published in
The Journal of Experimental Medicine, study lead author Professor
Wei Li, said inhibiting this molecule may lead to the prevention of
similarly aberrant blood vessels forming and damaging the vision of
diabetics and premature infants through diabetic retinopathy and
ROP, the most common cause of vision loss in children.
WIN $1000 WITH YOUNGER
Younger Optics Australia and New Zealand is celebrating its 60+
years of independence with an eyecare professional competition
to win a $1,000 Visa Gift Card. To enter, simply state why you
recommend Younger Optics lenses to patients in 25 words or less at
www.youngeroptics.com.au before 30 June.
Prioritising priorities
As the public becomes increasingly alarmed by stories about patients going blind as they wait for treatment,
a group has been busy beavering away behind the scenes to fine tune the Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria
(CPAC)* for surgical eye care, including a relevant Impact on Life questionnaire. Leading the development is
Auckland-based ophthalmologist Dr Dean Corbett, chair of the CPAC steering group for ophthalmology. Here
Dr Corbett outlines why this is being done and where it’s currently at.
BY DR DEAN CORBETT
In any circumstances where resources are limited and demand is
high, there is a need for rationing. This applies to food and water
in refugee camps or medical supplies in a time of need.
We are faced with this problem right now in ophthalmology in New
Zealand. In fact, we’re facing it across all our elective surgical services,
whether for hip replacements, coronary bypasses, bariatric surgery, as
well as any form of surgical eye care. No longer is there just a demand
that outstrips supply for operations such as cataract surgery. We now
face an ever-increasing elderly population and expanding treatment
options, such as intravitreal anti-VEGF’s for macular degeneration,
that is resulting in a large mismatch of resources compared with
demand.
This has led to the realisation that we need to allocate our efforts in
a way that is most effective. By ‘effective’ the Ministry of Health and
its advisors mean that outcomes must be measured and quantified
and, most importantly, analysed in a way that makes sense. Hence
the science behind PROs (patient-reported outcomes) and PROMs
(patient-reported outcome measures) has exploded.
Previously, elective surgical intervention has been delivered by a “Dr
knows best” approach with few metrics employed to judge how well
the intervention has been received. But now, work across multiple
specialties in the different Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC)
workshops, including ophthalmology, has allowed us to look more
objectively at outcomes and agree parameters with input from
both surgeon and patient to generate priority weightings. These
priority weightings are unique to each specialty. In ophthalmology,
they have been developed by a multidisciplinary team comprising
ophthalmologists, optometrists, GPs, lay people, patients,
biostatisticians, bioethicists, physicians and politicians. Thus, all
CPAC have a balance between clinical weighting and patient-derived
Impact on Life (IoL) scores.
Much time and effort has been spent on the Impact on Life (IoL) or
patient-derived scoring tool. For this to be most useful, the concept
of a generalised questionnaire that can be used across all elective
interventions has been developed. It is anticipated that as time
passes, patients will become more and more familiar with this tool
and understand that it is their way of adding input to the planning
and treatment of their condition.
The IoL tool has undergone many modifications since it was first
introduced for cataract surgery in 2005, and then subsequently in
plastic and reconstructive surgery in 2008. In its current form it has,
however, been shown to be representative of a patient’s view of how
their condition is affecting their life. It has had input from experts
in questionnaire development and has been validated by a group of
actual patients and been shown to be robust in its usage.
In the ophthalmic care model, the CPAC are designed to assess
and appropriately prioritise patients wanting to access cataract care
across our health system. The ophthalmology criteria (including
the IoL tool) have also now been reviewed as appropriate for the
entire elective ophthalmic care spectrum, so can be viewed as a true
“whole-of-ophthalmology” tool, but will not be fully accepted until
the pilot programme by two district health boards (DHBs) has been
completed this year.
The ultimate vision for the CPAC tool is that patients will be
www.nzoptics.co.nz | PO Box 106954, Auckland 1143 | New Zealand
prioritised far more
efficiently both across
the country and within
their own communities so
valuable DHB resources
can be used to deliver
interventions rather
than having to deal with
assessments as well.
In time to come, we will
also have a much better
understanding of what we
are achieving as we will be
able to compare IoL scores
pre- and post-intervention.
In a perfect world, we could
then apply this data to a
generic measure of disease
Dr Dean Corbett, chair of the CPAC steering committee
burden model, such as
QALY (quality-adjusted life-year), which includes both the quality and
quantity of life lived, to gain more meaningful information about
cost utility. This could then guide allocation funding toward the most
beneficial interventions.
*Also known as Clinical Prioritisation System (CPS) tools
CPAC and optometry
The new Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC) for surgical
eye care is having a positive effect across the eye care spectrum,
says Kiwi optometrist Claire
McDonald.
“Previously there was the
option to listen to the presenting
symptoms, record VAs, note lens
opacities and refer on. You could
be sympathetic to comments like
‘the taxes mum has paid, she
shouldn’t have to wait’, and make
a comment about long queues
in the public health system. But
now we can have a fuller role in
helping our patients access the
care they need.”
Claire McDonald
The IoL questionnaire gives
insight into the real difficulties
patients have due to their vision, says McDonald. “The surprising
cases are those non-drivers with 6/12 to 6/15 acuity who
really are not at all bothered by their reduced vision. Or the 6/9
binocular acuity person struggling with glare.
“Using the CPAC tool with the IoL questionnaire gives us a real
indicator on how our patient’s case will be prioritised. Often
these are our long-standing patients so these insights can guide
our efforts to help people manage their vision and cement our
patient relationships.” ▀
World Retina Congress in NZ
The University of Auckland will host the 20th International World
Retina Congress from 7 to 11 February 2018. The Congress is
designed to share and advance international knowledge in
retinal health.
“Being part of the Retina International World Congress is an
experience in optimism and inspiration and we hope to deliver a
unique event, bringing together some of the world’s foremost retinal
scientists and clinicians along with the global leaders in patient
advocacy and peer support,” said the local organising committee.
The 2018 Congress is aimed at patients and their families, clinicians,
rehabilitation professionals, students and anyone with an interest
in retinal disorders. It will include a number of short scientific
presentations, expert discussion panels, treatment approach sessions
and social events.
“Our aim is to create the best educational environment possible
(with) the most acclaimed experts in biomedical research, clinical
practice, rehabilitation best practice in blindness and effective
peer support methodologies and treatment advocacy,” said the
committee.
Session themes include: gene therapies, bionic vision, stem
cell treatment, low vision strategies, patient-focused forums and
clinician-focused education. An outline of the programme and more
information can be found at www.retina2018newzealand.com ▀
For general enquiries or classifieds please email info@nzoptics.co.nz
For editorial, please contact Lesley Springall at lesley@nzoptics.co.nz or +64 27 445 3543
For all advertising/marketing enquiries, please contact Susanne Bradley at susanne@nzoptics.co.nz or +64 27 545 4357 in the first instance, or Lesley Springall at lesley@nzoptics.co.nz
To submit artwork, or to query a graphic, please email susanne@nzoptics.co.nz
NZ Optics magazine is the industry publication for New Zealand’s ophthalmic community. It is published monthly, 11 times a year, by New Zealand Optics 2015 Ltd. Copyright is held by
NZ Optics 2015 Ltd. As well as the magazine and the website, NZ Optics publishes the annual New Zealand Optical Information Guide (OIG), a comprehensive listing guide that profiles the
products and services of the industry. NZ Optics is an independent publication and has no affiliation with any organisations. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily
those of NZ Optics 2015 Ltd or the editorial team.
4 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

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5

Our world masters…
From Friday 21 April to Sunday 30 April,
Auckland and some other parts of the North
Island played host to an estimated 25,000
budding older athletes from New Zealand and the
world in the 9th World Masters Games.
Held every four years, this was the first time New
Zealand had hosted the games. The atmosphere
outside NZ Optics’ offices in downtown Auckland
was abuzz with excited competitors and
accompanying travellers, who flocked to the Cloud
on Queen’s Wharf to register and hang out with
fellow competitors.
The New Zealand eye industry was well
represented with participants competing across a
wealth of different sports and age groups; many
taking home medals for their efforts.
Here’s a selection of some of our worthy
competitors, who were kind enough to share their
experiences of the 2017 World Masters Games:
world class sporting event,” she said. “It was an
amazing week of weightlifting and I got to meet
people of all ages from all over the world who prove
every day that age is nothing but a number.”
Smith’s next international competition will be the
Oceania Masters and Pacific Rim Championships in
the Gold Coast in October 2017.
Nigel Somerville, Visique Glen Eden, and Dr Paul
Rosser, Auckland – Football
Michael White, Visique Whakatane Optometrists,
Squash
Alison Cole, Specsavers New Plymouth
– Surf Life Saving and Canoe-Kayak
The bronze medal-winning Blenheim rowing team: Veronica Best, Shane
Rohloff, Rod Henderson and Suzy Scorer, with coach Mouse Taylor (front)
Alison Cole competing in just one of her 10 medal-winning events
New Plymouth optometrist Alison Cole won an
outstanding 10 medals in 10 events across two
different sports.
In the Surf Life Saving events she won gold for
beach sprint, beach flags, the ski race and the 2km
beach run. In Canoe-Kayak she won gold in the
ocean marathon race and gold in the K4 1000, K4
5000, K1 200 sprints, and silver in the K1 500 and
K1 1000 sprints.
Talking afterwards, Cole said she “loved” the
atmosphere of the games. “It was so interesting
and informative… with people from many other
countries, some of whom had been previous World
Champions. Their histories were inspirational.”
Adrian Paterson, Paterson Burn
– 2.5km Open Water Swim
Over five days of racing, Scorer made it through
to a few semi-finals and won two bronze medals.
One was in the mixed quadruple sculls, with
colleagues from the Bay of Plenty, who did well
considering the gold and silver medal-winning
teams both included some former Olympians and
World Champions. While the second medal was
with colleagues from Blenheim, in another mixed
quadruple scull race against many rowers aged 20
to 30 years younger.
The Blenheim team also included Rod Henderson,
who has micro-ophthalmia in his right eye and an
optic nerve anomaly in his left eye, making him
legally blind. Henderson took part in a number of
races, both ‘para’ classes and in the normal ablebodied
races, said Scorer. In the para-single scull race
his wife Rose directed him from the umpires’ boat
which travelled alongside. He also competed and
achieved medals in the mixed para-double sculls,
the men’s able-bodied quad race and the mixed
able-bodied quad race (with Scorer). It was a great
achievement for him and great inspiration for other
less able-bodied or blind athletes, she said.
“I had a great week at the games. It is quite cool
to say I have competed against Olympians. The
standard was exceptionally high and it was great
to see some of New Zealand’s finest such as Rob
Waddell and Nathan Twaddle going hard out too.”
Odette Smith, OPSM Barry & Beale – weightlifting
Nigel Somerville and Dr Paul Rosser celebrating their silver medal win
in the football
Auckland-based ophthalmologist Dr Paul Rosser
and optometrist Nigel Somerville both gained
silver medals in the 50+ men’s football league,
narrowly losing out in a tense 2-1 final match.
Somerville said the whole week was fantastic
and ran incredibly smoothly thanks to an army of
volunteers. “Luckily no muscle pulls and, as usual,
I did make Paul look like a talented football player
with my expert passes to him,” he laughed.
A particularly enjoyable factor was that a lot
of their team had first played football together
30 years ago, including one who flew back from
Australia to join them. He was lucky to be there at
all, said Somerville. “He wouldn’t be alive today if
Paul hadn’t done CPR on him when he had a heart
attack when playing football in our team about 13
years ago. He even brought his defibrillator just in
case we needed it!”
Michael White (in blue) on court with England’s Akhtar Khokhar
Optometrist Michael White also competed in the
squash, winning his first two matches in the men’s
singles, 55+ age group to make the quarter finals,
but then losing 3-1 against the top seed from
Australia, who went on to win gold.
“All three of my matches were intriguing
because they were against overseas players from
England, Canada, and Australia,” he said. “The
buzz at the North Shore Squash Club was great
with lots of people watching the games. It was
a great opportunity to catch-up with old squash
foes I hadn’t seen for several years as well as
meet players from overseas, including a sprightly
82-year-old Englishman and current world masters
squash champion in the 80+ group.”
White says he enjoyed it so much, he’s now
considering competing in the New Zealand Masters
Squash competition in September in New Plymouth.
John McLennan, University of Auckland – Cycling
Adrian Paterson (right) with his fellow 2.5km open swim medal winners
Adrian Paterson took home a bronze medal in
the 2.5km open water swim in his age group. The
World Masters Games was such a good event to
be involved with, he said. “Great organisation and
friendly, positive people from all round the world
competing. Loved it.”
Suzy Scorer, Nelson Eye Specialists – Rowing
and Rod Henderson, a legally-blind rowing
competitor from Blenheim
Suzy Scorer with one of her two medals for rowing
Suzy Scorer from Nelson Eye Specialists was one of
nearly 1200 rowers who competed in 4000 races at
Karapiro near Cambridge.
“Some races, including my own first race, the
women’s double sculls, had a huge number of
entries – 48 boats in that one – so competition was
stiff in numbers as well as skill.”
Odette Smith claims a silver medal in the weightlifting
Nick Griffiths, NZ Optics – Squash
NZ Optics’ own
Nick Griffiths
was knocked out
in the semi-finals
of the special
plate in the
squash men’s
singles, 50-55
age group, but
went on to win a
silver medal after
a nail-biting,
audience-packed
final in the 45+
team event.
The whole
event was
incredible,
said Griffiths,
from the
NIck Griffiths (right) and David Gell before
their semi-final plate match
great organisation to the powerful feeling of
camaraderie you have from being involved.
“Everybody who’s there, is there to compete, but
they are also there to have fun.”
Griffiths said he was looking forward to the
individual event most, but actually found the
team event more rewarding because of the
collegial atmosphere. “Plus we got into the final
against many other, higher-seeded teams, and
only just missed out on gold in the last match,” he
laughed.
John McLennan battling the road race
Therapeutic optometrist John McLennan
competed in the Cycling Time Trial and Road Race
in the 60-65-year-old age group.
Joking beforehand that he hoped he’d survive,
he said the the time trial was great fun as Tamaki
Drive (along Auckland’s waterfront) was closed
to cars and the weather was fine. The road race,
however, was, “sheer hell, with rain, high winds,
big hills and cramp in the old legs. It was awesome
to be part of but am glad I didn’t quit the day job.”
Heather O’Hagan, Visique O’Hagan – Athletics
Supervising Official
Equally as
important as
the competitors,
were the games’
officials. Heather
O’Hagan officiated
for four days at
the athletics at
the Douglas Track
at Waitakere
Stadium. She
primarily
supervised the
throws, but also
the ladies 55
to 74-year-old
heptathlon, which
included seven
events over two days.
OPSM’s Odette Smith not only took part in the
women’s 53kg, 40-44-year age group weightlifting
world masters, she was selected to be the
weightlifting flag bearer at the opening ceremony
in Eden Park, which was perhaps a sign of
acknowledgements to come.
She achieved a silver medal in her category, setting
four New Zealand Masters weightlifting records
along the way: two in the snatch; one in the clean
and jerk; and one overall for her age and weight
class. Smith also gained a gold medal as part of the
New Zealand women’s team event, which narrowly
beat Australia.
“I feel so privileged to have been a part of this
Nick Griffiths (second from right) and the extended Devonport Squash
CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Team sporting their silver medals after a close match against Canada
Heather O’Hagan sporting her official
WMG Athletics’ referee outfit
It was a huge programme of athletics events
to organise, over two tracks, plus road races and
cross country, she said, but having competed as a
masters’ thrower in the past, it was great to catch
up with some of the athletes she had met over the
years, both competing and officiating.
6 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

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References: 1. Perez-Gomez I, Giles T. Clin Optom 2014;6:17–23. 2. Angelini TE et al. Invest Oph & Vis Sci 2013;54:E-Abstract 500. 3. Angelini T. Hydrogel surface viscoelasticity
and mesh-size characterized with microrheology. ARVO, 2013:E-abstract 1614872. 4. Dunn AC et al. Tribol Lett 2013;49(2):371–378. 5. Straehla JP et al. Tribol Lett 2010;38:107–113.
6. Thekveli S et al. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2012;35(Supp1):e14.
© 2017 Novartis. Alcon Laboratories (Australia) Pty Ltd. ABN 88 000 740 830. Phone: 1800 224 153; NZ Phone: 0800 101 106. 04/17 ALC0715 NP4:A21611561214.
June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
7

Welcome to WAVE
The West Australian
Vision Education (WAVE)
conference 2017 will
again take place at the
beautiful Rendezvous Hotel in
Scarborough, Perth from 12 –
13 August, 2017.
Following the successful 2016
event, and using the clinical
workshops and lecture format
WAVE has established its
reputation on, the 2017 WAVE
programme is packed with
relevant and practical sessions
the profession can use and
Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough, venue for WAVE 2017
learn from.
Optometry Western Australia (OWA) president
Darrell Baker said he believes a key part of WAVE’s
appeal is it’s “strong” education programme, which
introduces and exposes delegates to a variety of
new speakers and views, in addition to several wellknown,
‘regular faces’ who are also highly regarded.
“The OWA Education Committee continually look
for and evaluate conference programmes, topics and
speakers from around Australia and internationally.
This evaluation is a very important process for WAVE
as it not only identifies these individuals but also
the potential topics that will attract delegates to
attend and learn from their knowledge.”
Some of the presenters making their respective
WAVE debuts include Australian optometrists
Mark Koszek, Jack Phu and Rebecca Li:
• Mark Koszek is a founding partner of EyeQ
Optometrists, which has 19 practices across
Australia. He is also a supervisor at the University
of NSW and has a special interest in contact lenses,
orthokeratology, ocular diseases and behavioural
optometry. Koszek will be discussing aqueous
deficient dry eye, the ganglion cell complex, uveitis
and orthokeratology.
• Jack Phu is an optometrist at the Centre for
Eye Health where he is also undertaking his PhD
in glaucoma and visual fields. He is a fellow of the
American Academy of Optometry, completed a
Masters in public health in 2014 and is currently
an undergraduate teacher at the University of
NSW in ocular disease, clinical optometry and
therapeutics. Phu will be presenting on visual
fields research and glaucoma therapy.
• Rebecca Li is an optometrist at Melbourne’s Dry
Eye Group where she manages dry eye with local
ophthalmologists using the latest technology. Li will
be speaking about meibomian gland dysfunction
assessment, diagnosis and management.
They will be joined by Western Australian
ophthalmologists Drs Chandra Bala and Antony
Clark and well-known Australian practitioners
Adrian Bell, Steve Leslie and Damon Ezekiel.
WAVE has now evolved into several events within
the main event. The Friday afternoon, pre-WAVE
lecture series for OWA’s early career optometrists
returns, with topics aimed squarely at the
DEWS II report
announced
The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society
(TFOS) presented the conclusions and
recommendations of the TFOS Dry Eye
Workshop II (DEWS II) during a special session
of the Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology (AVRO) Annual Meeting in May.
DEWS II was designed to achieve a global consensus
concerning multiple aspects of dry eye disease
and is the sequel to the original workshop and
subsequent report from 10 years ago. Its objectives
were to update the definition, classification
and diagnosis of dry eye; critically evaluate the
epidemiology, pathophysiology, mechanism, and
impact of this disorder; address its management
and therapy; and develop recommendations for the
design of clinical trials to assess pharmaceutical
interventions for dry eye treatment.
The DEWS II initiative is very important, because
dry eye disease is a global problem, afflicting over
30 million people in the United States alone, and is
one of the most frequent causes of patient visits to
eye care practitioners, said Jennifer Craig, associate
professor at the University of Auckland and vicechair
of DEWS II. “Dry eye is a multifactorial disease
of the ocular surface characterised by a loss of
homeostasis of the tear film and accompanied
by ocular symptoms in which tear film instability
and hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation
and damage and neurosensory abnormalities play
etiological roles.”
professions more recent graduates, including: how
to adapt your practice to survive in a competitive
environment, when competing on pricing alone
just won’t work; top tips for examining five-yearolds;
dealing with depression and anxiety, from
both the patient’s and practitioner’s perspectives;
and ‘How to be your own boss’ by OWA’s
advantage partner, Optometry Finance Australia.
The strength of the Friday early career
optometrists lecture series is its ability to make
use of the speaker talent already committed to the
main WAVE programme, says Baker.
A new and exciting special initiative added to this
year’s WAVE education line-up will be a dedicated
practice staff education programme. Topics for
this include advice on marketing and social media;
leadership and communication; dispensing; and
strategies to differentiate and customise your
practice for competitive success. Members are
encouraged to send as many of their practice staff
along as possible for what promises to be a highly
educational and practical discussion series, with
many ‘take home’ benefits, said organisers.
OWA’s chief exective Tony Martella said all the
organisers are particularly excited about this year’s
WAVE programme and the extra elements, so be
sure to set aside the dates and keep an eye out for
the full WAVE programme when it’s released.
For more information see the ad on p21 ▀
OWA president Darrell Baker (right) shaking hands with a younger
delegate at WAVE 2016
TFOS imagery used to launch DEWS II
Workshop organiser Dr David Sullivan, said the
workshop process required more than two years
to complete and involved more than 150 clinical
and basic research experts from around the world.
“[These experts used] an evidence-based approach
and a process of open communication, dialogue
and transparency to increase our understanding of
dry eye disease,”.
The DEWS II report will be published in full
by The Ocular Surface in July and will then be
available for download from TFOS’ website – www.
tearfilm.org.
For more about dry eye and the findings of DEWS
II and all the latest research into dry eye in this
part of the world, see our annual dry eye special
feature in the September issue of NZ Optics. To
suggest an article or to advertise, please email
lesley@nzoptics.co.nz. ▀
Robot retinal surgery
University of Oxford
technology,” said MacLaren’s
surgeons at Oxford’s
colleague Dr Marc de Smet, an
John Radcliffe Hospital
ophthalmologist in the Netherlands
in England have completed their
first clinical trial of retinal surgery
by robot.
Professor Robert MacLaren led
the trial, which used a remotelycontrolled
robot to perform
intricate retinal membraneremoval
surgery in six patients
and then compared the results
with six other patients who
underwent the more traditional
procedure. The robot performed
the intricate retinal surgery
Professor Robert MacLaren
who helped design the robot, in an
interview with Live Science after
the presentation. “The system can
provide high precision [at] 10 microns
in all three primary [directions], which
is about 10 times more precise than a
surgeon can do.”
The technique may offer new hope
for new, more intricate surgeries,
previously considered too difficult
to accomplish, such as retinal gene
therapy, he said.
The surgical system was developed
with enhanced levels of accuracy compared with
human surgery, with just two patients in the robot
group experiencing micro-haemorrhages and one
a retinal touch (which increases the risk of retinal
tear and detachment) compared with five microhaemorrhages
and two retinal touches in the
manual group.
Presenting the findings at the annual meeting
of the Association for Research in Vision and
Ophthalmology (ARVO) in May, Professor MacLaren
called the robotic technique “a vision of eye surgery
in the future.”
“These are the early stages of a new, powerful
by Preceyes, a Dutch medical robotics firm
established at the University of Eindhoven by de
Smet and others. The Robotic Retinal Dissection
Device (R2D2) trial was sponsored by the University
of Oxford and funded by the Oxford Biomedical
Research Centre with support from the Oxford
University Hospitals Foundation Trust. Additional
funding was provided by Zizoz, a Dutch charity
for patients with choroideremia, a genetic form of
blindness.
A robot was also successfully used in Belgium
to operate on a patient with retinal vein occlusion
earlier this year. See story in March’s NZ Optics. ▀
NZ store partner joins
board
In a regional first, three
Specsavers’ store partners
have been appointed to
the Specsavers Australia and
New Zealand Board, including
Philip Walsh, from Specsavers
New Lynn in Auckland.
The move, which follows
the lead of Specsavers’
head office in the UK, was
announced at the recent
2017 Partnership Seminar in
Sydney in March (see April’s NZ
Optics). Walsh, together with
Australian compatriots Chris
Papatheodorou (Burwood) and
Richard Dyson (Cairns) have
been appointed to the board
for a two-year term, after which
they will be replaced by three different partners.
“I think the Specsavers Board has shown a great
commitment to the whole partnership concept,”
said Walsh in a question and answer session
during the seminar. “As a board member, I see
my role as representing all New Zealand partners
and store teams at the highest level within our
shared business. I will be involved in the business
planning cycle and all board meetings throughout
the year and will be able to contribute strongly on
behalf of all New Zealand stores.”
Optometry director and long-term board
member Peter Larsen says the partners were
appointed as they have always been vocal,
successful and passionate advocates of the
Specsavers’ business. The appointments are a
natural progression for Specsavers ANZ, he said.
“The Specsavers partnership concept is highly
collaborative for a franchise – with a strong
working bond between store partners and the
support office. We have involved store partners in
more and more of our core decision-making groups
over the past 18 months and that has worked
Philip Walsh in the spotlight at the Specsavers’ Partner Seminar, 2017
really well, ensuring the decisions we make are
road-tested with and by experienced partners.
The move also means other board members
will be able to provide and receive direct input
and feedback from store partners, he said. “What
this means is that our store partners are now
represented at the highest level in strategic
discussions and whole-of-business decisionmaking,
as well as working through how strategy
flows through into business-focussed initiatives.”
Business growth continues
In other news, Specsavers announced record
annual sales for both New Zealand and Australia
in its last financial year. In the year to 28 February,
2017, Specsavers New Zealand store sales rose
from $113 million in 2015/16 to $122 million,
while Specsavers’ Australia recorded sales of $860
million, up from $786 million.
Specsavers New Zealand also took home the
2017 Reader’s Digest Gold Quality Service Award
in the optometry category in a survey of 1,500 Kiwi
adults. ▀
BOptom under scrutiny
The optometry council of Australia and New competencies necessary to practise optometry.
Zealand (OCANZ) is assessing the bachelor OCANZ’s assessment team is reviewing Auckland
of optometry programme at the University University’s accreditation submission and will
of Auckland on behalf of the optometrists
conduct a three-day visit to the University in June
and dispensing opticians board (ODOB) for
2017 to interview staff, students, past-students and
reaccreditation.
employers. OCANZ has also called for submissions
OCANZ’s accreditation process includes assuring from the public, optometrists and employers.
the ODOB registration board that graduates
Auckland University’s BOptom degree
are being effectively prepared for entry to the programme was last accredited in 2009 for eight
profession, while providing feedback to the
years, the longest period accreditation can be
university on the optometry profession’s changing granted. The University must report if it makes
needs. The independent, external agency is also any major changes to the programme and submit
responsible for assuring the public, graduates annual reports to OCANZ. Once accreditation is
from accredited programmes have the knowledge, granted by OCANZ, the ODOB must approve the
skills and other professional attributes and
decision before the programme is registered. ▀
8 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

Spine heads downunder
Proudly dominating
Mondottica’s stand
at Silmo Sydney
was an eye-catching
video display of different
delegates, shaking their
heads (sometimes quite
violently) to try to dislodge
a pair of frames from the
company’s new Spine
Eyewear range.
Just launched in
Australia and yet to
make it over the ditch,
Mondottica’s Spine
Eyewear feature what
has been described as
“an evolution” in hinge
design; a patented,
vertebrae-inspired design featuring five individual
metal pieces held taught with a small spun wire
cable. When the wearer puts on the frames,
said the company, the temples close and shut
automatically, adjusting the frames to sit snugly
on most face types.
Invented by Italian engineer Guido Medana, the
Spine hinge is a result of Medana’s lifelong career
in engineering and his personal experiences as
a spectacle wearer. He said he believed frames
should fit everyone well. They shouldn’t slip down
the nose and they shouldn’t need to be continually
tightened or adjusted.
Typical spectacle hinges are either open or shut
with nothing in between, according to Mondottica,
which describes the spine range as “eyewear with
Mondottica’s Gail Hoole and Leonie Phillips demonstrate the new Spine range at Silmo Sydney
The Spine hinge: “five ‘veterbrae’ that work together seamlessly” to stop frame slip
backbone”. Each vertebrae in the Spine hinge
works seamlessly together, sharing the load,
making it incredibly durable and flexible, while
remaining tight, it said.
Each of the five vertebrae also only rotate 18
degrees, so there is minimal wear from friction,
said Leonie Phillips, Mondottica’s national sales and
marketing manager. “There are also no screws to
loosen as in a traditional hinge and when the frame
is taken off, the dual spring and hinge automatically
shuts (creating) a unique wearing experience.”
Spine will be available in New Zealand toward
the end of the year, but those coming to ODMA
(see p10-19) will have a chance to see and try
the new Spine Eyewear range themselves and
purchase models early, said Phillips. ▀
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Daryl Parkes, Fiordland and Southland Eyecare,
Laser Sailing
Daryl Parkes competing for NZ in laser sailing
The World Masters Games
The first World Masters Games was held in
Toronto, Canada in 1985 to meet the growing
demand for competitive sport among an older
population. It attracted just 8000 competitors.
But by the third event, in Brisbane, held under the
strapline – “The challenge never ends” – the event
had taken off with more than 24,000 participants
from across the world.
There have now been nine World Masters Games,
including three in Australia. The event recorded
its highest competitor levels – 28,000 from more
than 100 countries – in Sydney in 2009, cementing
its place as the largest multi-sports event in the
world.
Though you’re generally considered a “master” if
you’re over 35 in most sports, participants in some
sports, such as swimming, can be as young as 25.
There is no upper age limit, though there might
be a lack of competitors to compete against in the
100+ category.
There are 16 core sports: archery, athletics,
badminton, basketball, canoe-kayak, cycling,
football, hockey, orienteering, rowing, shooting,
South Island optometrist and president of the
Southland Yachting Association, Daryl Parkes
came up against some stiff competition in the
laser sailing, with more than 170 competitors
competing across different age groups in the
beautiful Auckland suburb of Torbay. The former
New Zealand Laser Master Champ of 2016 came
22nd out of 34 in his age group, and though he
says he was a little bit disappointed with the result
– despite being up against some ex-Olympians
and World Champions – he wasn’t with the
competition.
“It was great sailing, in perfect weather for the
five days of racing. Very well organised with big
courses and good spirit on the water, even though
very competitive.”
Daryl drove more than 4030km from Te Anau and
back for the competition and says he’s now looking
forward to the 2021 World Masters in Japan.
NZ Optics would also like to recognise Dr Graham
Wilson from Gisborne who was keen to
acknowledge all the eye industry competitors
and was due to race in the 400m but sadly had
to pull out just before due to a knee operation.
NZ and international athletes at the closing ceremony of the 2017
World Masters Games at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront.
softball, squash, table tennis, triathlon,
weightlifting, which appear at every games, plus a
further 14 selected by each host country.
The World Masters Games follows the Olympics
model. There are summer and winter games,
with opening and closing ceremonies and medals
awarded. The difference is you don’t need to qualify.
Anyone can register to compete. Some sports also
have competition classifications for para-athletes.
The next games will take place in Kansai, Japan
from 15-30 May, 2021. ▀
PHOTOGRAPH: PETER MEECHAM
Education Series 2017
Seminars
are FREE!
NEXT SEMINAR
Tuesday 22nd August
6.30pm - 8.45pm
Theme:
Diagnostics and
Therapeutics in
Everyday Practice
Venue:
Ellerslie Event Centre
Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave
Ellerslie, Auckland
Eye Institute’s Education Series continues to offer an opportunity for the Optometry Profession to gain exposure
to the latest advances in therapeutics, shared-care management and surgical advances in New Zealand.
You are invited to join us at our August Seminar and November Conference for the 2017 year.
Optometry Conference
Sunday 5th November
8am - 5pm
Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre,
58 Waipuna Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland
PLUS 1/2 day workshops
Saturday PM 4th November
REGISTER ONLINE:
www.eyeinstitute.co.nz/optometry
Dispensing Optician Conference
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Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre,
58 Waipuna Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland
Registration:
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Light Meal & Beverages
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June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
9

SPECIAL FEATURE: ODMA
Welcome to ODMA
2017
With only weeks to go until it
returns to Sydney, we are looking
towards ODMA17 with renewed
optimism.
The eyewear industry is projected to
exceed $165billion in sales by 2022, making
it the ideal time for independent practices to
re-energise themselves and reflect on what
they can do to better differentiate their
business moving forward.
ODMA17 will be the place to meet
associates and old friends, network, do
business and learn what’s new in technology
and trends.
All the major equipment and lens
companies are confirmed to exhibit and
will be joined by frame and sunglass brands
like Tom Ford, Jono Hennessy, Face à Face
and Lafont in the inaugural Design Junction
feature. Design Junction is also a key
platform of Frame Fashion Week, which will
take place within and around the Darling
Harbour precinct from 1-10 July.
ODMA17 will also see a larger number
of overseas experts presenting at both the
Vision Summit and Masterclass programme,
delving more deeply into their topics than
ever before.
Held on Friday 7 July, ODMA17’s Vision
Summit will entertain and educate
attendees, featuring Professor John
Marshall as leading keynote speaker.
Professor Marshall invented and patented
the revolutionary excimer laser for the
correction of refractive disorders. With in
excess of 50 million procedures now having
been undertaken worldwide, we are so
pleased he will be joining us at ODMA17.
Also presenting at the Vision Summit are
Professors Minas Coroneo, Peter McCluskey,
Fiona Stapleton, Paul Mitchell, Associate
BY FINOLA CAREY, CEO, ODMA
Finola Carey
ERO_June '17 Quarter Page Advert.pdf 1 11/05/2017 3:45:28 PM
Professor Chew Tec Kuan Paul (Singapore)
and Dr Rolando Toyos (USA).
In addition to the Vision Summit,
ODMA17’s Masterclass programme is the
most comprehensive one yet, running both
entry level and advanced education for
dispensers and practice staff.
We are delighted to have Elaine
Grisdale, head of professional services
and international development from the
Association of British Opticians, coming
to Australia to present as part of the
Masterclass offering.
As the peak body of wholesalers,
manufacturers and importers of optical
products in Australia, ODMA invests all
the proceeds from its fairs back into the
Australian independent optical industry so
we look forward to seeing you at ODMA17!
Strong speaker line-up
for Summit
Back in in Sydney after six years, organisers are
promising a new ODMA better than ever before,
including an impressive number of overseas
experts bound for Darling Harbour’s International
Convention Centre. Each has been tasked with delving
more deeply into their topics, following feedback from
ODMA members’ after the 2015 event.
Keynote speakers at ODMA17’s Vision Summit on
Friday 7 July, 2017, include Professor John Marshall from
the UK, Dr Rolando Toyos from the US and Associate
Professor Chew Tec Kuan Paul from Singapore, plus
home grown experts Professors Minas Coroneo, Fiona
Stapleton, Peter McCluskey and Paul Mitchell, promising
a very interesting and educational event.
NZ Optics asked two of the speakers how they
became involved in eye health and what they’re most
looking forward to at ODMA17.
Professor John Marshall
Internationallyacclaimed,
Professor John
Marshall’s career
in eye health spans
more than 50 years.
He is the current
Frost Professor of
Ophthalmology
at University
College London and
Emeritus Professor
at King’s College,
London and has
published 400
Professor John Marshall
research papers,
41 book chapters and seven books. He also invented
and patented the revolutionary Excimer laser for the
correction of refractive disorders and created the
world’s first diode laser for treating eye problems. He
will be covering three topics in Sydney: technology and
optometry – the brave new world; cross-linking as the
future of refractive surgery; and the ‘paradox’ of blue
light.
PHOTOGRAPH: PA PHOTOS
What inspired you to become involved in eye health?
My entry into the world of eye research was a strange
one. My father was a physicist and to him numbers
work. He was a little disappointed when I said I was
interested in medicine and said I ought to do a degree
involving numbers first. I thought about this and I
thought about the interaction between physics and
medicine and immediately decided the eye combined
both elements in one small organ. I was headhunted to
do a PhD and entered the Institute of Ophthalmology
in association with Moorfields Eye Hospital on 1
November 1965 and have never regretted it.
What are you most looking forward to at ODMA 2017?
In the past 50 years, I’ve become extremely
experienced in lecturing to ophthalmologists, but I
find optometrists often have totally different interests
and see emergent technologies in a very different way.
I’m always delighted to visit the Antipodes and to get
the wonderful barracking from Australian and New
Zealand cousins. It’s refreshing for an Englishman to
be shown our inadequacies and with such humour.
I really look forward to the ODMA meeting to get
a chance both to educate the audience and to be
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
Alcon: presbyopia ‘Xplained’
Alcon will introduce its free innovative resource
Ageing Eyes (presbyopia) Xplained at ODMA.
Xplained was created to help explain presbyopia
to patients through storytelling. It follows the
journey of a real patient, Penny, a lady in her
50’s with presbyopia, and breaks down what
presbyopia is, including the symptoms and
options available for treatment.
Ageing Eyes has been developed in collaboration
with patients, optometrists, Optometry Australia
and the Cornea & Contact Lens Society of
Australia (CCLSA). It is sponsored by Alcon
Australia.
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10 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

June 2017 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
11

SPECIAL FEATURE: ODMA 2017
educated by them. I hope the delegates will
come away with a good knowledge of many
peripheral technologies that are going to impact
upon their profession and in particular those
novel techniques and procedures that will be
undertaken by optometrists in the future and not
left to ophthalmologists.
Dr Rolando Toyos
Dr Rolando
Toyos is
medical
director and
founder of
the Toyos
Clinic in
Tennessee.
He
specialises
in cataract
surgery,
LASIK,
glaucoma
and dry
eye. He
developed
the use of Dr Rolando Toyos
intense
pulsed light (IPL) for the treatment of dry eye
conditions and was recently honoured with
the United Nations’ Innovation Award for
this achievement. Dr Toyos is also a sports
Device Technologies
ophthalmologist and the official eye doctor of
several professional baseball teams. His lecture
will cover the innovative use of IPL as a treatment
for dry eye disease and include tips on how to
incorporate the treatment in your practice.
What drew you into medicine and eye health?
I come from a long line of teachers and coaches
and I knew I wanted to teach. But I also had a love
of medicine and a curious mind. I fulfilled many
goals as a teacher and coach, but I still wanted
to become a surgeon. I started out at medical
school completing research in trauma surgery.
My research involved microsurgery on rats. Then
I observed a few eye surgeries in my third year
and I was hooked. Ophthalmology fulfils all my
passions: teaching, research, surgery, mastering
changing technology and, most of all, helping
people.
What are you most looking forward to at
ODMA17?
I enjoy interacting with physicians from different
countries and learning all their tricks. The
exchange of information in this way benefits our
patients. With the internet, you would think there
is a free flow of information around the world,
but when we are dealing with procedures and
surgery it is the little nuances that you can only
understand from a face-to-face conversation that
make the difference between success and failure.
[Plus] I’ve enjoyed bringing IPL to ophthalmology
and the adoption has been much better with my
attendance at international symposiums.
We invite you to come and see the latest Topcon instruments at our ODMA 2017 stand in Sydney.
The following ergonomic and highly time-saving devices are on display: CV-5000 Vision Tester; the
four-in-one TRK-2P kerato-refractometer and tono-pachymeter; the latest generation LED video slit
lamp; the Triton swept source OCT-A; and a full range of chairs and stands. Experience the Maestro
OCT, with its one-click wide scan and complete retinal information in a single report. It’s an easy
to use, reliable, affordable and space-saving combo-OCT (anterior scan and networking available).
Also on display will be Frey VA charts, offering great flexibility, durability and value, and the Captiv8
patient communication solution.
Mastering business
brilliance
ODMA17’s Masterclasses are a smorgasbord
of practical dispensing advice and the
latest industry insights to help improve
business function and strategy. Masterclass
speakers include Elaine Grisdale from the UK,
optometrist Leigh Plowman from Australia
and Steve Daras, the optical dispensing course
coordinator for Australia’s largest provider of
optical dispensing education and training TAFE
NSW (OTEN).
Grisdale and Plowman took time out from their
work to tell NZ Optics about why they do what
they do and what they are most looking forward
to from their time in Sydney.
Elaine Grisdale
Elaine Grisdale qualified as a dispensing optician
before spending 12 years in France as the
international professional relations manager
for opticianry & optometry for Essilor. Since
2007, she has headed professional services and
international development at the Association of
British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) developing
professional standards around the world. Grisdale
is also a member of the board of trustees of the
European Academy for Optometry and Optics,
the director of development of the International
Opticians’ Association (IOA), a liveryman with
the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, a
fellow of the American Academy of Optometrists
and a member of Silmo’s scientific committee in
Paris.
What drew you to dispensing optics as a career?
I’d worn specs since I was six and contact lenses
from age 11 so I could play hockey at school.
The whole environment of an optical practice
appealed to me. It was clinical, it was people
facing and there was fashion and commerce
involved. My regular six-monthly check-ups and
holiday work over two years at my opticians
helped to
cement the
love I had for
practice life.
What do you
love about the
role that you
are in now?
I enjoy
lecturing and
interacting
with other
professionals.
I love this even
more because
my role
enables me
Elaine Grisdale
to do this in
many different
countries and with many different cultures. The
ABDO is very strong in Malaysia and India where
our programmes are taught. We also have very
good relations in China. I am currently learning
Mandarin to help me develop relations further.
The IOA role is a new one and one which I am
investing more and more time in. I feel that an
organisation which can bring optical associations
and individuals together to celebrate, and defend
and grow the profession globally, must be a good
thing.
What are you most excited about at ODMA?
This will be my first visit to ODMA and I am
honoured to speak. I am very excited to meet
fellow professionals and to exchange with them
during my sessions and the show. I am also
looking forward to seeing what’s new in this part
of the world by visiting the exhibitors – some
of whom, I’m sure, will be new to me. I’m also
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
13

SPECIAL FEATURE: ODMA 2017
excited to come to Australia after a 20-year absence; the downtime
is also a very exciting prospect for me.
What is the one key thing that you want people to take away from
ODMA?
I want the opticians in the audience to feel great about what they
do and how they can make people’s lives so much better. I would
like to stress to our optometrist colleagues, the importance of
working with a dedicated, qualified optician. Around 80% of the
turnover of an optical practice comes from the provision of optical
appliances, so having a skilled professional looking after the
provision of optical appliances is key to the success. For a practice to
flourish, the raison d’etre must be about ensuring quality vision and
looking and feeling great in quality eyewear. I will also be stressing
the need for continuing education and specialisation in the years
ahead.
Leigh Plougman
Leigh Plowman is an optometrist and online marketer. His clinical
interests include dry eye management and ocular therapeutics,
but his claim to fame is helping Goggleman create an eCommerce
website for prescription sports glasses, making it the bestselling
provider of sports glasses in Australia.
How did you get into optometry?
I received so much from optometry as a child and wanted to put back
into the profession. At the age of four, a kind teacher recommended
I go and see an optometrist as I just wasn’t concentrating well. Soon
after, my parents found out I was a +6.00 hyperope. I had atropine
penalisation and transparent lenses placed on my glasses and ended
up with less than one line
difference in acuity.
When I finished high
school, my mother was also
starting her role as an optical
dispenser and I wanted to
help her to understand lens
calculations. I always enjoyed
maths and science and was
excited to enter optometry.
During Optometry School,
I undertook weekend/
holiday work as a dispenser,
graduating in 2006 in the
first Australian cohort with
ocular therapeutics.
What are you most excited
about at ODMA this year?
I’m looking forward to
meeting other independent Leigh Ploughman
practitioners at ODMA17.
There are some great speakers on business and clinical topics…
including Rolando Toyos.
The one takeaway [I hope to achieve at] ODMA is that independents
realise they can still achieve their dreams in their practice. Although
optometry is changing, optometrists can create a strategy to thrive
and grow.
For more information and to pre-book Vision Summit and
Masterclass attendances visit www.odma2017.com.au
Where fashion
and functionality
meet
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Carter Bond (top) and Etnia Barcelona will both feature at Design Junction
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A
major feature of ODMA17 and a key platform for the
accompanying Frame Fashion Week is ODMA’s Design
Junction. Showcasing premium, high-end international
and Australian eyewear brands, Design Junction exhibitors’ will
demonstrate the latest design capabilities in optical fashion
and innovation. Confirmed brands include Lafont, Guess, Esprit,
Swarovski, Roberto Cavalli, Etnia Barcelona, Frost Eyewear, Jono
Hennessy, Carter Bond, Simple Eyewear, Marimekko, Spine,
Christian Lacroix, Monoqool, Salt, Paul & Joe, Iconik, Kate Sylvester
and Lisa Ho.
Meanwhile Frame Fashion Week will take place over ten days from
1 – 10 July, across multiple Sydney locations. This includes Design
Junction at ODMA17, aimed at the industry, while the public can
expect fashion parades, pop-up shops and more at Fashion Week’s
other locations.
It will bring trade and consumer together in one festive mix, said
ODMA chair Robert Sparkes in a statement. “Fashion has always
been a huge part of the eyewear industry and we are thrilled at the
development of Frame Fashion Week.”
Hoya
Hoya will be announcing two new innovative products at
ODMA17: EnRoute Driving lenses and Hoyalux Sportive
lenses. EnRoute lenses, available in premium single vision
or progressive, are designed specifically for motorists,
minimising the stress on the visual system and providing
a more comfortable driving experience by incorporating
a specially-developed glare filter and optional contrastenhancing
filter. Hoyalux Sportive caters to active and healthconscious
presbyopic athletes. The lens design structure takes
the position of wear into account, providing the athlete with
clear visual fields, especially in the far distance area where
it’s needed most. While Nulux Sportive is the ideal lens for
most sports where little near vision is required. Both Sportive
lens designs fit the visual requirements of sports, where
performance is directly related to binocular control, visual
accuracy and reaction time.
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designsforvision.co.nz
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
14 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

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p: NZ Toll Free 0800 141 444
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w: www.generalopcal.co.nz
Calvin Klein is a designer sportswear and
accessories brand that emphasizes modern
silhouees in disncve colour palees.
Characterised by innovave and sophiscated
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June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
15

SPECIAL FEATURE: ODMA 2017
1 eighth page ad Modstyle - horizontal_2.pdf 1 11/05/2017 3:43:27 PM
Enjoying Sydney…
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PHOTO COURTESY OF DESTINATION NSW
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Come see us at Stand C14
ODMA 2017
Optimed
Optopol REVO NX, currently the world’s fastest OCT will be on display at ODMA2017. Come and
visit the OptiMed Booth #D8 to view our latest technology. Be sure to check out the Eidon Wide
Field Confocal for high resolution fundus imaging as well as other innovation and diagnostic
equipment. Prepare to be amazed by the technology and quality products plus our great
conference specials on offer. The OptiMed booth will have product specialists available to answer
all your queries. Robert and Craig invite you to come and view our booth to discuss your interests,
have a chat or just “hang out”.
General Optical
Three reasons why you need to visit the General Optical stand B2 at ODMA17. 1) New brands – be
one of the first globally to preview and pre-order the new Longchamp collection and view the
first Australian collection of ETRO. 2) Etnia Barcelona – for the first time, experience the newlyreleased
global collection at Design Junction. 3) New releases – see the latest collections from
world-renowned brands like Nike and Calvin Klein and preview and pre-order future releases from
our luxury portfolio including Chloé, MCM and Salvatore Ferragamo and, of course, the Calvin
Klein Collection.
Take a walk under Sydney Bridge
Thinking of extending your visit to ODMA17
or turning your business trip into a family
holiday over the school break? Sydney and
its surrounds have a wealth of activities on offer,
catering for every taste.
Staying in the City?
Enjoy Sydney’s famous sights like the world
heritage-listed Sydney Opera House, which attracts
millions of visitors each year; walk, climb or ferry
under Sydney Harbour Bridge; or wander around
vibrant Darling Harbour with its bustling street life
and wealth of cafés.
There’s also an abundance of museums and
galleries to visit in the City. The Art Gallery of NSW
is one of many well worth a visit. Established in
1871, the gallery showcases works by past and
present Australian and international artists.
Then there’s The Australian Museum, established
in 1827, next to Hyde Park in the middle of the
City, which houses some of the nation’s most
deadly predators, funnel webs, king browns, red
backs and salties, fortunately all stuffed or behind
glass; or visit the Indigenous Australia section
and find out more about the Stolen Generations;
or perhaps you have a budding paleontologist in
the family? The Australian Museum is also host
to a permanent dinosaur collection including 10
complete dinosaur skeletons and a special minimuseum
for kids under five.
Need a break from the hustle and bustle? Perched
at the edge of Sydney Harbour, right next to the
Opera House, is a tranquil oasis, the Royal Botanical
Garden, with lots of different walks and outdoor
activities on offer. For more information visit: www.
rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Keen to wonder a bit further? Here’s a few more
ideas, which could turn your visit into something
truly special.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
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16 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

DYNAMICSYNC
June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
17

SPECIAL FEATURE: ODMA 2017
PHOTO COURTESY OF DESTINATION NSW
Whale watching and Featherdale Wildlife Park
Sydney’s famous Opera House
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Whale watching
Thousands of whales migrate every year along the New South Wales
coast. The annual whale migration runs from May to November,
peaking in July and September, when you can see these majestic
mammals from many points in and around Sydney. There’s a host
of whale-watching cruises departing Sydney Harbour during the
season, including Captain Cook Cruises, Fantasea Adventure Cruising
and Oz Whale Watching. Or if you’d prefer to stay on land, rent a
vehicle for the day and head out to Cape Solander, one of Sydney’s
best whale watching spots located in the Kurnell section of Kamay
Botany Bay National Park.
Blue Mountains and Scenic World
The famous Blue Mountains got their name from the natural blue
haze created by the vast eucalypt forests in this world heritage area.
Tiny droplets of oil released from the trees mix with water vapour
and sunlight to produce the distinctive colour. From the Echo Point
lookout in Katoomba you get a stunning view of the Three Sisters
rock formation. Katoomba is also the gateway to many walking trails
and other leading attractions, such as the glass-floored cable car
suspended above a steep gorge, which is part of the Blue Mountains
Scenic World attractions.
The Blue Mountains is within easy reach from Sydney just two
hours by train from the central station or tour operators pick up from
many Sydney hotels. For more information visit www.sydney.com/
destinations/blue-mountains
More for the kids…
Many of the Blue Mountains tours also include a visit to the wonderful
Featherdale Wildlife Park and rescue centre where you can see and
even feed kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and koalas up close.
Or take the kids to Roar and Snore, the sleepover of a lifetime
at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Get an exclusive up close and personal
experience with the animals and enjoy a 90-minute night walk to
experience the nocturnal animals. Early booking is essential, www.
taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo/accommodation/roar-snore-bookings
Or perhaps, for a more relaxed tour of Sydney with the kids,
combine an open-top, hop on-hop off bus tour around Sydney,
including lunch and a play on the sand (weather permitting) at
Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach – www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com ▀
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Modstyle is thrilled to be entering the New Zealand market
with their impressive Avanti collection. Avanti has enjoyed an
incredible 35 years in Australia and is much loved for its wide
range of styles. Fashionable and stylish with an emphasis on
wearable shapes to suit even the fussiest of clients, Avanti
offers a wide array of affordable eyewear, from bold striking
looks through to its more simple and elegant designs. Please
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Meet the … occupational therapist
Gail Hughes is an occupational therapist who has worked with low vision patients in Christchurch
for 14 years. She tells Jai Breitnauer about her work and the need for more dedicated-low vision
services in New Zealand.
My interest in
occupational therapy
comes from my
mother. When I was a child,
she used to volunteer with
Handiscope. She helped create
a Handiscope centre where the
elderly or disabled could come
and enjoy activities, crafts and
morning tea and lunch with
support, and I would help in the
school holidays.
“While other health
professionals might want to
help people by doing things
for them or to them, an
occupational therapist (OT) will Gail Hughes
ask, ‘how can you do things for
yourself?’ Whether it’s living independently with
a spinal injury or getting along with a mental
health issue there is an OT who can help facilitate
and manage things using different aids and
techniques.
“After I qualified, I worked for a couple of years
and then took a career break to have children. I
have four children, twins who are 34, a 30-year-old
and a 24-year-old. My eldest boy had a learning
disability. He is dyslexic and had eye-tracking
problems. At nine-years-old he couldn’t read and
I supported him through all the extra training he
needed to get him going. He’s a software engineer
now. My third boy had developmental delay
and my fourth son had reading problems. After
supporting them through their issues, I felt like I
had real practical life experience of occupational
therapy - I’d lived it, and I wanted to help others.
“When my youngest was in intermediate school
I saw a job advertised at Burwood Hospital for
an OT to work with low vision patients for eight
hours a week. I had no experience with low vision
specifically but I applied, got the job and found it
was exactly what I was looking for.
“Right from the start, this role gave me the
opportunity to figure out
what people’s daily living
problems were due to
low vision and then find
solutions. I had no special
training, (Christchurch
optometrist and well-known
low vision advocate) John
Veale helped me understand
low vision and gave me a
lot of reading material. He
also talked me through the
equipment, like magnifiers,
and the positioning of lights
and showed me how to do
assessments. I was lucky that
Burwood also had a senior OT
who was happy to upskill me
on the job as well. I’ve always had a lot of support.
“Many day-to-day problems people with low
vision have I learned to solve from my patients.
They would say, ‘this is really difficult, but I do it
this way’ – and then I’d share that information
with other patients. Over the years, I’ve built up a
reservoir of information and techniques.
“I see predominantly older people, but there’s
a sprinkling of younger people who come after
an accident or brain injury, or eye disease. There’s
a few children too. Older people are mostly
macular degeneration patients with home-based
challenges. They come to me and they say, ‘I’ve
been told I’m going blind’, so we talk about their
diagnosis and likely prognosis and in most cases
I explain that they’re not going blind. They will
always be able to see the world, but their vision
will change and they need to learn to manage that.
For many, it’s the first bit of hope they’ve had since
their diagnosis.
“One of the most interesting areas for me is
people managing their cell phones and computers.
It’s so important today as it gives people so much
independence. I’ve learned to use Siri and OK
Google and master the accessibility options for
various computers, tablets and phones,
so I can show others. Someone said to
me recently that they can’t enlarge text
in the app store on a Mac. I’ve worked
out how to do it. It was really exciting. I
can’t wait until I see them again to show
them.
“I’ve seen a lot of change in 14 years.
There is so much more available to help
people manage their lives with low
vision these days. Even the specialised
equipment has improved and I keep
thinking it can never get better, but
it does. Orcam is a good example. It’s
a device you wear on the side of your
glasses and as you look at print, it reads
it to you (see story in May’s NZ Optics).
It can even learn people’s faces… and
it’s now in New Zealand. Technology
is moving forward rapidly and talking
software is now available on mainstream
devices and working well. GPS voice
guidance is an amazing support for
people walking around their community.
“The job is much more than the eight
hours a week I signed up for now, but
I still find it exciting and challenging.
Seeing the shine on people’s faces when
they realise they can do something they
haven’t been able to for a while, like
read a book or do a crossword, keeps
me motivated. People are reclaiming
something lost. A lot of people when
they’re leaving the clinic say, ‘how come
we didn’t know about this before?’
“It’s sad that many people don’t know we’re
out there and what’s possible. There used to be
about 20 low vision clinics around New Zealand,
but now there’s only two or three. This clinic is
free and run by the Canterbury DHB with support
from the Lighthouse Vision Trust, which is essential
for making low vision equipment available and
affordable. I would really like to see other parts of
OTs help people with low vision gain independence
New Zealand develop clinics along similar lines.
The DHB’s would find it difficult to do this on
their own, but there are few options for low vision
patients without us.
“I’d encourage optometrists to make the move
into low vision services, especially outside the
major centres. With a small kit of magnifiers
and basic equipment they could make a huge
difference.” ▀
THE BLIND FOUNDATION
SHOW
silmoparis.com
June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
19

Focus
on Business
Preparing your practice for sale
Seeing clearly, after
the quakes…
Six years after the devastating Christchurch quakes, Jai Breitnauer,
visited some industry colleagues to see how the recovery’s going.
BY STU ALLAN*
This is the second column in a series of two (see last month’s for part 1) on valuing and preparing your
business for sale, both of which expand on a Focus on Business column from last year about maximising
your practice’s sale potential.
Most often the decision to sell your business
is based upon natural succession planning,
but sometimes it can be determined by
personal health or other family circumstance. The
law of finance is that a dollar in the hand today
is better than a dollar in the hand tomorrow. The
same applies when selling a business, but when it
comes to preparing a business for sale, the more
time you plan and allow before the sale, the better
prepared you will be. Here I discuss some of the key
preparations practice owners should consider as
they ready their practices for sale.
Practice presentation
When we work in the same workplace for a long
time, we tend not to see what a fresh pair of eyes
sees, like those of our patients or an outside adviser.
Engaging a practice design specialist to review your
practice and report on what changes they would
recommend, together with some cost estimates can
be a worthwhile exercise.
Maintain an asset list
Practice appraisers calculate the fair market value
of your assets based on useful life, whereas your
accountant typically depreciates assets rapidly for
tax benefits.
Your accountant often won’t keep an itemised list
of your assets, especially after they are depreciated.
So, if you’d like to avoid searching for equipment
receipts from 10+ years ago, we highly advise
keeping itemised records of assets in a simple,
organised worksheet including the asset type,
manufacturer/model number, date of purchase
and cost. Medical equipment tends to have a useful
life of 15-18 years, so start this asset list as early
as possible and rest assured all your assets will be
added to the appraised value of your practice.
Employment agreements
All employment agreements need to be up-to-date,
despite it being New Zealand employment law, it is
surprising to find practices exposed by not having
these basics in place. All staff must have up to date
employment agreements.
Lease
Make sure there is at least three years plus left in the
lease. New owners will want to know the location
is secure. If less than three years remains, obtain a
letter from the landlord communicating their desire
to continue the lease with the new owner.
Properly label expenses
Your accountant’s job is to reduce your income as
much as possible to minimise taxes. Your practice
appraiser’s job is the opposite – to show the true
earning potential of your practice.
One way OpticsNZ does this is by adjusting your
net income on tax statements for “add-backs,”
which are generally discretionary expenses not
fundamental to the continued operations of the
practice, eg. owner’s cell phone, family health
insurance, auto lease, home office expenses etc.
Add-backs are easy to identify within the business’
annual financials. Every dollar gained could make
upwards of a $3 return-on-investment (ROI).
Practice appraisal
A practice appraisal is one of the most important
components used in the sale of your practice. It
should cost about $2,500 – $4,000 for a single
optometry practice and we recommend it’s
completed by the same company that will be
brokering your practice for sale to prevent the
appraiser from putting an unrealistic value on the
practice.
The appraisal should include a comprehensive
financial analysis using industry standard
methodologies, as well as qualitative data and
descriptive content to serve as the prospective
buyer’s main point of reference when making
an informed purchase decision. Buyers will also
submit the appraisal to commercial lenders when
they apply for practice purchase financing. Order
the appraisal about one to two months before you
expect to list the practice for sale.
20 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017
Business review
Engage a business consultant, with industry
knowledge, to complete a review of your business
every six months. They should review wages to
turnover, professional fees, margins from suppliers,
the split of trade across labs and wholesalers etc.
The outcome is commonly a 3-5% increase in
fees and a 5% to 10% gain in gross profit growth,
resulting in 10% to 12% gross profit growth over
the year, often making a $40,000 bottom line
improvement, which in-turn directly results in an
increase of $120,000 in practice value. The results
can take a year to see in your financials, so engage
early and prepare early.
The processes are also made more effective
when you can compare across industry averages.
If, for example, your wages are more than 28% of
turnover we would want to know why. A specialist
behavioural or contact lens practice might have up
to 32% wages to turnover.
Exit at full speed
Buyers like to see consistency, and love to see
growth. Too many practice owners slowly retire,
weaning hours and allowing financials and
production to decline. Sun-setting like this will only
hurt the value and marketability of your practice.
At the very least, operate your practice as you
would normally. Don’t skimp on usual and customary
expenses as your transition date approaches. If
you have broken equipment, replace it. If you’re
wondering whether to replace old but functional
equipment, ask your broker. The answer will come
back to whether you can recoup the funds.
In summary
These are just a few preparations one should take
when approaching a practice sale. In reality many
other factors come into play, such as negotiating
property lease renewals and managing staff and
stock before and during the sale.
How long will it take to sell your practice? Each
practice is different, and there are too many
variables to offer an average length of time a
practice remains on the market. OpticsNZ has sold
practices within one month, others have taken
upwards of 18 months.
Other recommendations
• Potential buyers will be looking at many practice
options, be fair and reasonable
• Have a clear reason for wanting to sell
• Provide clear proof of profits
• Be willing to hold hands and work on for a while
with the new owners to leverage the existing
goodwill
• Be prepared to commit to a location-based
restraint of trade
• Maintain a precise and accurate asset list
• Keep a clear list of costs that will not transfer to
the new owner. Often we include some personal
costs within our businesses – vehicle expenses,
home office costs, personal travel, clothing, etc.
List them so they can be identified as ‘add backs’ to
boost the bottom line
• Present your practice clean, neat, inviting and in
appealing manner
• Never have a full valuation completed. An
appraisal (costing significantly less) is more than
sufficient; there is no need to count the teaspoons
• Inform your landlord of your intentions. Landlords
can be tricky when told late in the game
• Engage an experienced broker, so you can step
back from what is often an emotional process. ▀
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
*Stu Allan is director of OpticsNZ, a
company which specialises in human
resources, recruitment, practice
brokering and business development
for the optics industry. Over the
years, OpticsNZ has brokered
dozens of practices and with each
engagement refines its processes. For
more, contact Stu on 027 436 9091,
email stu@opticsnz.co.nz or visit
www.opticsnz.co.nz
Liquefaction on Ferry Road outside Foate’s Ferrymead practice
Walking along the marble memorial wall,
unveiled on the sixth anniversary of
the February 2011 earthquake that
killed 185 people, was an emotional experience.
Looking at each name, intricately carved into
the Italian marble was a reminder of just how
personal a tragedy this was.
I wasn’t in Christchurch when the earthquake
struck, I was living in the UK, but I still remember
that early morning phone call telling us one of
our family members was missing. The confusion,
panic and turmoil of the next few days, that
Cantabrians will remember so well, played out in
our northern hemisphere bubble. Thankfully our
missing elderly family member turned up three
days later, safe and well at her friend’s (destroyed)
house in Sumner. They’d stoically set up camping
chairs and a gas stove in the garage and eaten
tinned beans while waiting to be rescued.
Everyone in Christchurch has a story about
that day, and not all of them have such a happy
ending. The optics industry was saddened by
the death of Paul Dunlop, the New Regent Street
optometrist and business owner whose family
had served the city for 110 years. A passionate
organist, he was part of a team of volunteers who
were dismantling the organ in the Durham Street
Methodist Church when the earthquake hit,
levelling the building, killing Paul and two others.
Getting into the groove
Groovy Glasses owner Trudy McLean has since
taken over the role of New Regent Street
optometrist, saying Paul’s widow has been very
supportive. But it hasn’t been an easy journey,
she says, taking three years of turmoil until she
secured the New Regent Street space and then a
further couple of years before the situation was
stable enough to open Groovy Glasses at the
premises in January 2016.
“We were in our city apartment on the
third floor when the September 2010 quake
happened,” says Trudy. “The building just kept
swaying, and it was pitch black. I thought it was
going to collapse.”
Trudy and partner Dirk McBeath, an antiques
dealer, had combined their passions to launch
vintage eyewear and optometrist business Groovy
Glasses in 1992. But when the first earthquake
hit, their Manchester street business had to close
for repair. Covered by insurance and with the
support of their large client-base, they moved to
a rented building in High Street six weeks later,
signing a lease for three years.
“The aftershocks continued, it was very
unsettling,” says Trudy. “One night I was on the
loo in our apartment when a particularly strong
aftershock hit. I thought, ‘I’m going to die like
Elvis’. We had to move.”
The couple decided to move into their bach in
Diamond Harbour until things settled down, and
that’s where Trudy was on 22 February 2011,
when the second quake hit. She had no idea of
the impact the earthquake had made in the city
centre, she says, and initially thought the phones
being down was a local problem.
“People talk about the dust rising from the city,
but you couldn’t see that in Diamond Harbour.”
Dirk had been in Woolston and went straight to
the High Street shop after it happened, she says.
“It was hours before he could call me. He told me
he found the team out on the street, covered in
dust and very distressed, but luckily no one was
injured.”
The shop was a mess and days later, when Trudy
went to assess the damage, she realised the
whole back end of the building had just fallen
away. The couple weren’t allowed in to retrieve
any business documents or client details and, to
make matters worse, their apartment building
was also cordoned off so they couldn’t retrieve
their backup files. Plus, their Manchester street
building, site of their original premises, had
completely collapsed. Things looked bleak for
Groovy Glasses.
“I learned a lot about what my insurance policy
actually means and loss adjusters,” Trudy smiles
wryly. “Because what you think you’re insured
for, isn’t actually what you’re insured for. It was
extremely stressful, I had chest pains and was
worried sick.”
Trudy admits, despite 18 years in the business,
she was ready to walk away. “But I had employees
looking to me, and I realised I am a good
optometrist and it’s a privilege to serve my clients.
It would be a waste if I walked away.”
The couple re-opened in rented premises in Bath
Street six months later, while they searched for a
new home. They secured their present location,
a character building that had been earthquake
strengthened, in New Regent Street in 2013.
Then they waited until the surrounding area had
recovered enough so they could move in (see NZ
Optics’ March 2017 issue).
Groovy Glasses’ Trudy McLean undaunted

Foate Optometrist’s Victoria Street practice cordoned off before demolition
Moving out
Another Christchurch optical institution
badly hit by the February quake was Corneal
Lens Corporation (CLC). Its Armagh Street
premises, built in the 1980’s, had been
over-engineered to deal with the weight of
multiple 1000kg lathes.
“I believe that saved our lives,” says
director Graeme Curtis, describing how the
building rocked violently during the quake.
“We couldn’t get back into the building for
29 days and much of the machinery had to
be repaired. We got overseas labs to help us
fulfil our commitment to our clients.”
The aftershocks made the working
environment almost intolerable so a year
later, when the company had to leave so the
building could be repaired, Graeme and his
team decided to move to the suburbs (see
story p25).
“We needed to get out of the city. We
needed calm,” he says, noting CLC wasn’t
the only one. Businesses left the CBD in
droves, relocating out to the west of the city,
where the aftershocks were less powerful.
“The city went to the suburbs and
businesses adapted to that. It’s been good.
We get pop up shops and there are coffee
places and food bars. People like the suburbs,
it’s convenient. Christchurch has changed
dramatically.”
CBD devastation
Low vision champion John Veale also found
new life in the suburbs after the February
quake. Veale and Hulme optometrists in
Gloucester Street was founded in 1906 by
Australian George Sevicke-Jones, but on
22 February 2011 the Gloucester Street
building, which had housed the practice
since 1999, sustained extensive damaged
and was earmarked for demolition.
“We went through the September
earthquake okay, and I told the staff, ‘this is a
bunker, the aftershocks won’t affect us,” says
John. “But when the February quake hit, the
building shot up and came back down in a split
second and all the concrete beams buckled.”
Life goes on: rebuilding after the quakes …
The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial remembering the 185 who died
John and his business partner John Hulme
registered with the Earthquake Recovery
Centre and were allocated an 8am to 2pm slot
with a security guard to rescue essential items.
“We couldn’t take big things, like chairs,
and we couldn’t get to the first floor because
the stairs had collapsed.” Luckily a friend of
John’s brought equipment to punch a hole
in the wall so they could load items from
upstairs into a container.
“About 1.30pm we had just left the building
when there was a massive aftershock, and
the whole place came down.”
The two Johns had paid business
interruption insurance for 25 years, but
because they had a small consulting room in
Shirley that was undamaged, the insurance
company said they weren’t ‘interrupted’, said
John Veale.
“We battled with them for three years.
Eventually we split the business. I opened
my room in Papanui and John still practices
from Shirley.”
Although it looks like progress is being
made, the central city is still a mess, he says.
John Veale at Merivale
… and more rebuilding
“There are cones and stop/go’s everywhere;
no parking; you can’t get anything done.
We’re still having aftershocks. We had the
fires, there’s been flooding – it’s like biblical
times.”
Visique Foate Optometrists’ co-owner
Jonathan Foate says it’s only been in the
last six months that things have begun to
settle. “Ed (Edward Foate) and I were having
lunch just down from our Victoria Street
store when the earthquake struck. Ed said,
‘it’s worse than the last time’ and we ran
outside, covered in dust. We watched the
cracks opening up in the building opposite.”
The Foates’ lost two of their four stores
that day and never regained access to
their Victoria Street store to reclaim any
equipment or hardware.
“There were special exemptions for
medical businesses, but CERA decided
optometry wasn’t medical. I’d even had our
request signed off by an ophthalmologist,”
says Jonathan.
A connection in the fire department meant
Ed could retrieve some hardcopy patient
records, but their losses were
high. Still, Jonathan says they
were lucky.
“We still had our Bishopdale
store, which was largely
undamaged, and Ferrymead,
which was repairable, so we
could continue trading. We
know of many smaller, onesite
independents that lost
everything. I feel grateful and
positive about the future.”
Looking ahead
As the sixth anniversary unfolded,
reaction in Christchurch was
mixed.
“We stood outside, paid our
respects,” says Trudy. “Some
people are still anxious. I’ve coped
better than some. I’ve rolled with
the punches because I’m a sceptic.”
Trudy says she now spends her
time making the best of things
and taking each day as it comes
adding that while the bush fires
and the Kaikoura quake were both
scary, they didn’t get her down.
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“Positive people were crushed, but I’m used to this bullshit now. Maybe
we’ll end up better at some point.”
Over at CLC’s new premises in Wigram it’s business as usual, with
the overriding feeling of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On,’ says Graeme. “I
think the fires reinforced our sense of vulnerability. But it was the
sixth anniversary today and I didn’t even think about it. Ultimately,
it’s good to move on.” ▀
June 2017
TBC
www.optometry.org.au/wa
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
21

for optometrists and eye care professionals
with
Prof Charles McGhee
& A/Prof Dipika Patel
Series Editors
Progressive conjunctival scarring,
a condition not to be missed
Introduction
BY DR MOHAMMED ZIAEI*
The conjunctiva, a thin translucent layer of tissue
lining the ocular surface, contributes to homeostasis
of the tear film and is a protective barrier towards
infection. Progressive conjunctival cicatrisation is a
rare, but important clinical entity that needs to be
diagnosed promptly as it can be sight-threatening.
The condition usually results from an imbalance
in the physiological interaction between the lids,
tears, mucosal and epithelial layers of the ocular
surface. This article reviews some of the important
diagnostic and management concepts when
dealing with cicatrising conjunctivitis (CC).
Conjunctival cicatrisation
Conjunctival scarring usually results from chronic
ocular surface inflammation. A large number
of stimuli such as chemical and physical insults,
infective organisms and immune-mediated
systemic conditions can lead to conjunctival
inflammation. If the ocular surface inflammation
is uncontrolled for a sufficient period it can lead to
cicatrisation of the conjunctival surface.
The majority of patients with non-progressive
conjunctival cicatrisation have suffered a previous
episode of severe ocular surface inflammation,
typically adenoviral conjunctivitis with secondary
sequalea, such as symblepharon formation. These
patients are often seen when they present for a
routine eye exam and are typically asymptomatic
upon presentation.
Patients with progressive cicatrisation are,
however, usually symptomatic and present with
red, gritty and uncomfortable eyes. Most patients
with progressive CC have mucous membrane
pemphigoid (MMP), a systemic, autoimmune
subepithelial blistering disease that affects ocular,
oropharyngeal and anogenital mucous membranes
and skin with progressive scar formation. MMP can
also effect the ocular surface in about 70% of cases
(ocular MMP, OcMMP). However, there are many
other conditions that can lead to a clinical picture of
conjunctival scarring 1-3 . Table 1 provides an overview
of the conditions that can lead to CC.
Patient demographics
Patients with CC are usually females with an
average onset age of between 60 to 70 years. In
one prospective study, OcMMP accounted for 61%
of new cases of CC whist SJS-TEN accounted for
20%. This equated to an incidence of 0.8 and 0.2 per
million respectively 4 .
Diagnosis
CC presents a diagnostic challenge as many of
the underlying conditions present with a similar
clinical appearance. Despite the similarities in the
clinical characteristics, a carefully taken history
as well as ocular and adnexal examination can
help the clinician in making the correct diagnosis,
as can appropriate investigations, providing their
limitations are understood.
History
A careful history can often help in making a
correct diagnosis as many of the disorders listed in
Table 1 have characteristic presenting symptoms.
A thorough history, including direct questions
about past medical history, as well as risk factors
associated with scarring – eg. a history of previous
systemic inflammatory disease such as sarcoidosis,
previous purulent conjunctivitis, chronic topical
eye drops therapy, etc. – will help the clinician
distinguish between a systemic or local cause for
CC. It’s also important to try and establish the
presence of possible systemic symptoms such as
difficulty with swallowing, breathing or sexual
intercourse as MMP can affect mucous membrane
linings of the mouth, oesophagus, trachea, nose,
vagina and rectum.
The second aim of the history process would be
to establish the rate of progression of scarring by
carefully elucidating the onset of symptoms of
inflammation and scarring. Estimating the rate of
progression of CC is of paramount importance when
deciding on a management strategy, especially
22 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017
since patients with OcMMP typically experience a
significant diagnostic delay (mean of 2.5 years and a
range up to 10 years) 5 .
Examination
CC has widespread sequelae for the ocular surface,
eyelids and adnexa and leads to a number of
distinct clinical signs (Table 2). Examination of the
ocular surface should be performed with both a
penlight and a slit lamp, with the eyelids everted
so that signs can be detected. In CC, secondary
to a systemic cause, the ocular signs are typically
seen bilaterally but the eyes may be effected in an
asymmetrical fashion. It is important to recognise
the systemic nature of MMP and therefore it is
essential to look for oral lesions such as gingivitis
or bullous ulceration. Skin involvement occur less
frequently than oral involvement but is seen in
about 10-25% of patients in the form of bullous
lesions or erythematous plaques.
Investigations
Whilst patients with static cicatrisation typically
need no investigation, it’s essential to investigate
unilateral cases of CC with no clear prior
predisposing risk factor ie. severe conjunctivitis
to exclude serious conditions such as neoplasia.
Patients with conjunctival inflammation and
scarring, not responding to topical steroid therapy
and without a clear history of an associated
systemic or ocular disease, should also be
investigated.
A thorough list of investigations that can be
helpful for a patient presenting with CC is beyond
the scope of this article. However most new
patients tend to undergo routine blood tests as
well as indirect immunofluorescence/autoantibody
testing and screening for latent chronic infections
such as tuberculosis.
When OcMMP is suspected, it’s necessary to
perform a biopsy of the conjunctiva and tissue
from other sites of potential involvement
before treatment is commenced 6 . A range
of immuno-pathological (direct and indirect
immunofluorescence) or histopathological
methods, may support the diagnosis of OcMMP by
demonstrating linear immune deposition along the
conjunctival basement membrane. It’s important to
note that performing a bulbar conjunctival biopsy is
safe in patients with probable or proven MMP 5 .
Management
CC can be a challenging condition to manage,
however, if appropriate treatment is initiated in a
timely manner, devastating ocular surface damage
can be prevented. Management of CC is predicated
upon whether the condition is progressive or static
and needs to be tailored to the individual patient
to address both local ocular sequelae and any
associated systemic immune process. Patients are
often managed in a multidisciplinary fashion under
the care of an ophthalmologist, immunologist, ENT
specialist and dermatologist.
Before any treatment is initiated, baseline slit
lamp photographs of the cornea, conjunctiva and
fornices should be obtained for future comparison.
The main treatment aims include controlling
systemic immune disorders to prevent further
conjunctival scarring, preserving ocular surface
integrity and maintaining normal eyelid/lash
position.
In static cases, it’s important to address
blepharitis, optimise the ocular surface and
aggressively treat any associated lid abnormalities.
Simple measures such as epilating misdirected
lashes, taping of the lid to deal with entropion or
lagophthalmos and using a therapeutic contact lens
can be helpful in alleviating patient symptoms.
The mainstay treatment of progressive CC is
immunosuppression. No topical medications have
been shown to be effective in controlling CC and
therefore systemic therapy is necessary to prevent
potentially blinding complications.
Current evidence suggests that mild to
moderate disease should be controlled with
immunosuppressive drugs such as dapsone,
sulfasalazine, methotrexate; moderate disease with
azathioprine and mycophenolate; and severe, active
disease with cyclophosphamide whilst intravenous (ALDH) inhibitory drops which have the potential
immunoglobulin and tumour necrosis factor
to control ocular inflammation and scarring by
inhibitors are reserved for recalcitrant cases 7 . Within modifying the profibrotic activity of conjunctival
weeks of starting treatment, patients should have fibroblasts. ▀
reduced levels of conjunctival
injection, with the long-term aim
to prevent progressive cicatrizing Table 1. Conditions associated with cicatrising conjunctivitis.
changes.
Classification
It is critical that management
Blinding scarring diseases
of patients with progressive
CC is undertaken by an
Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP)
individual who is an expert
Drug-induced progressive conjunctival cicatrisation
in immunosuppression and
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
associated drug-induced side
effects. With modern therapy, it’s Ocular surface neoplasia
possible to achieve permanent Ocular surface squamous carcinoma (OSSN)
remission of the disease process
Sebaceous cell carcinoma
if the condition is diagnosed early
and treated sufficiently for one to Ocular diseases with no systemic involvement
five years.
Drug induced scarring
Once the ocular inflammation
Atopic keratoconjunctivitis
is completely controlled, surgical
procedures such as lid surgery, Trachoma
fornix reconstruction and corneal Infective conjunctivitis
surgery can be undertaken to
improve comfort levels and
Conjunctival trauma
provide visual rehabilitation. It’s Oculodermal diseases
important to avoid manipulation Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
of the conjunctival surface during
the active course of the disease as
Pemphigoid
this can aggravate progression of Dermal diseases
the cicatricial process.
Ocular rosacea
Conclusions
Lichen planus
Whilst great advancements have
been made in the understanding
of CC, the field needs better
diagnostic techniques that
don’t rely upon detection of
autoantibodies for disease
identification and objective
biomarkers to quantify the
degree of the inflammatory
and scarring process. A specific
treatment to combat progressive
cicatrisation is lacking and is
likely to remain elusive until
a better understanding of the
basic immunological process,
namely the initiation of auto
aggression, is achieved. Future
therapeutic regimes for the
treatment of chronic progressive
CC may include more targeted
immunomodulatory drugs, such
as biological agents, as well as
topical aldehyde dehydrogenase
Multisystem disorders
Fig 2. Loss of the caruncle and significant Meibomian gland dysfunction.
Graft versus Host Disease
Sjögren’s syndrome
Table 2. Sequelae of chronic progressive conjunctival cicatrisation
Eyelids
Obstruction of lacrimal and meibomian glands
Blockage of lacrimal punctum and canaliculus
Aberrant lash growth
Lid misalignment
Ocular surface
Symblepharon formation (adhesion between the bulbar and palpebral
conjunctiva) (Fig 1.)
Loss of caruncle (Fig 2.)
Fornix shortening
Fig 1. Extensive symblepharon formation in a patient with OcMMP.
Altered tear film status
Secondary keratopathy
References
1. Bernauer, W., M.J. Elder, and J.K. Dart, Introduction to
cicatrising conjunctivitis. Dev Ophthalmol, 1997. 28: p.1-10.
2. Chan, L.S., et al., The first international consensus on mucous
membrane pemphigoid: definition, diagnostic criteria,
pathogenic factors, medical treatment, and prognostic
indicators. Arch Dermatol, 2002. 138(3): p.370-9.
3. Williams, G.P., et al., Evaluation of early and late presentation
of patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid to
two major tertiary referral hospitals in the United Kingdom.
Eye (Lond), 2011. 25(9): p.1207-18.
4. Radford, C.F., et al., Incidence, presenting features, and
diagnosis of cicatrising conjunctivitis in the United Kingdom.
Eye (Lond), 2012. 26(9): p.1199-208.
5. Dart, J.K., The 2016 Bowman Lecture Conjunctival curses:
scarring conjunctivitis 30 years on. Eye (Lond), 2017.
6. Frith, P.A., et al., Conjunctival involvement in cicatricial and
bullous pemphigoid: a clinical and immunopathological
study. Br J Ophthalmol, 1989. 73(1): p.52-6
7. Nottage, J.M., et al., Treatment of mucous membrane
pemphigoid with mycophenolate mofetil. Cornea, 2013.
32(6): p.810-5.
Dr Mohammed Ziaei
About the author
* Dr Mohammed Ziaei completed his
ophthalmic training at Moorfields
Eye Hospital in London and is
currently in his second year as a
cornea & anterior segment fellow at
the University of Auckland.

Coopervision: Energys’ NZ
launch
Following a preview at this year’s
Cornea & Contact Lens Society (CCLS)
conference in Nelson, Coopervision
officially launched its new Biofinity Energys
product to the New Zealand market at two
events in Auckland and Wellington in early
May.
Aphrodite Papas, Coopervision’s strategic
manager for NZ and Australia, welcomed
guests and introduced the evening’s first
speaker, professional affairs manager Joe
Tanner, to introduce the company’s new lens
family.
In the last four years, smartphone
ownership has increased dramatically, with
94% of Kiwis, aged 18 to 34 now hooked
on smartphone technology. This, combined
with the growing use of other digital devices,
is leading to more and more cases of “digital eye fatigue”,
characterised by increasingly tired and dry eyes, which is
why Coopervision decided to develop and introduce Biofinity
Energys, said Tanner.
The new lens incorporates Coopervision’s Aquaform
technology, designed to lock in moisture to increase comfort,
used in all Biofinity lenses, with what Coopervision calls
its “unique Digital Zone Optics” system. This, said Tanner,
incorporates multiple front-surface aspheric curves which
simulate more positive power in the lens centre to help ease
the accommodative burden experienced from digital devices.
Tanner was followed by keynote speaker, Jagrut Lallu,
CCLS president and New Zealand representative on the
Orthokeratology Society for Oceania board.
Lallu’s practice, Visque Rose Optometrists, has a significant
percentage of contact lens (CL) patients; most referred
and many requiring complex fitting. His talk, ‘Increasing
CL success – Practical Fitting Considerations’ was highly
informative and full of clinical insights which could be used
in practice. He urged practitioners to discuss a range of
contact lens options with all their patients, from age five
upwards, and mentioned the benefits of fitting soft lenses
at the eye exam to aid in spectacle frame selection. At his
practice, Lallu said he uses a fitting-fee system based on time
and complexity, with daily spheres taking the least time and
multifocal torics taking the most.
One of the key reasons for CL discontinuation was dry
eye, he said, adding that practitioners have an armoury
of tools at their fingertips to help these “silent sufferers”,
including steroid eye-drops, lid washes, omega-3 tablets, oral
medications, new generation tear supplements and apps for
blink training. Lallu said he uses key questions for identifying
dry eye associated with CL discomfort and in some cases a
questionnaire. He provided many clinical pearls on the use
of fluorescein to help identify dry eye causes and concluded
with fitting tips for soft multifocals and the use of the
topographer in soft contact lens fitting.
Coopervision’s Biofinity Energys is available now in powers
plano to +8.00 and -0.25 to -12.00 and is an optometry-only
product. ▀
Calling all recent grads!!
BY NOUZAR IRANI*
Frank Snell and Younus Bhikoa
The New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO)
is delighted to invite you to its ‘Recent Graduates
Evening’ at Hannah Playhouse in Wellington’s CBD on
the 19th August, 2017 from 5.30pm onwards.
This biennial event aims to bring together as many newlygraduated
optometrists (2015 to 2017) as possible for a fun
and informative evening. A number of optometrists and
ophthalmologists will be covering practical and relevant
topics throughout the evening, to help recent graduates
build a solid foundation at the beginning of their careers.
Topics of discussion include: easy and practical tips
for binocular vision; hard contact lens assessment;
hospital optometry; glaucoma accreditation process; and
tips for referral letters and telephone discussion with
Dr Wanda Lam and Joe Tanner
ophthalmologists.
The event will include two hours of talks, providing at
least two CPD points (application pending) followed by light
snacks and beverages. It is open to all optometry graduates
of the last two years and is fully subsidised by the NZAO for
current members. Non-members will incur a slight cost.
Please let us know if you are coming, so that numbers can
be confirmed for catering, or ask any questions by emailing
Nicky Lim at limni@live.com by 1 August, 2017.
This event will be very informative and a good opportunity
to get together with the other graduates. It should not be
missed!
See you all there! ▀
*Nouzar Irani graduated at the end of 2015. She is an NZAO member and now
works at Browning and Matthews Optometrists in New Plymouth
Focus on
Eye Research
Diagnosing and dealing
with eyelid lesions?
INCIDENCE OF EYELID BASAL CELL
CARCINOMA IN ENGLAND 2000-2010
Saleh G et al.
British Journal of Ophthalmology 2017:
Volume 101 – 2
In this study the authors investigated the
number of new diagnoses of eyelid basal
cell carcinomas (BCCs) in England over an
11-year period from 2000-2010. The data
was sourced from eight regional cancer
registries using histology and ICD-10
diagnostic codes.
There were 33,610 eyelid BCCs reported.
The incidence of BCCs when standardised
for age was about 4.5 per 100,000 and did
not change over the 10-year study period.
Rates of diagnosis increased for both
males and females with age and were
found to be higher in males than females
over the age of 75 but, interestingly,
higher in females than males under the
age of 50. The authors suggest this may
be due to increased awareness of skin
cancer and the increased surveillance in
young women compared to men.
The authors also noted that BCCs are
the most common of all skin cancers
and involved the eyelid in 10% of
cases. Despite the fact these cancers
rarely metastasise they can still cause
significant facial disfigurement and affect
patient psychological wellbeing.
Comment: Increasing skin cancer
awareness is an important public health
message which applies to New Zealanders.
This is especially pertinent given the
aging population and significant lifetime
ultraviolet light exposure which are two of
the strongest risk factors for development
of skin cancers. Suspicion of periocular skin
lesions should warrant early referral to a
local oculoplastic service to ensure timely
diagnosis and effective management.
ACCURACY OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
OF BENIGN EYELID LESIONS: IS A
DEDICATED NURSE-LED SERVICE SAFE
AND EFFECTIVE? Mohite A et al.
Orbit 2016
This study aimed to compare the accuracy
of diagnoses of suspected benign
eyelid lesions between a clinic led by a
dedicated nurse specialist and a doctorled
clinic, as well as the accuracy between
different sub-types of benign eyelid
lesions.
A retrospective review of 596 lesions
referred to an oculoplastic service over
a six-year period from 2007-2012 were
suspected to be benign but sufficiently
symptomatic that patients requested
surgical excision. A single nurse specialist
clinically diagnosed 332 lesions whereas
264 lesions were diagnosed by 25 doctors
with varying levels of training (consultant,
trainee or non-consultant specialist
doctor). Lesions were then excised and
histology performed to confirm diagnosis.
Rates of accurate diagnosis were 79.6%
for the doctor lead service and 80.4% for
the nurse-led service (p>0.05). Rates of
missed malignancies/premalignancies
were 1.1% and 1.5% for doctor-led and
nurse-led service respectively (p>0.05).
The remaining misdiagnoses were benign
lesions of another subtype (13.6%) or
non-specific histological findings (5%).
Of the subtypes of benign lesions, there
was a high degree of diagnostic accuracy
amongst cases of benign epithelial
proliferations, cysts of Moll, xanthelasma
and naevi. Epidermal inclusion cysts were
most likely to be clinically misdiagnosed as
any other type of benign lesion. There was
no significant difference in rate of missed
malignancies across the benign lesions
although it was highest amongst naevi
BY DR REID FERGUSON*
and epidermal inclusion cysts.
The authors recommended that due
to the variation in diagnostic accuracy
between different lesion subtypes all
benign excised lesions should be sent
for histological assessment to minimise
missed malignancy rates and reduce the
associated risk of increased, long-term
patient morbidity, more complicated
excisions and longer term follow-up.
Comment: Clinical nurse specialists
and optometrists play an increasing
role in the diagnosis and management
of many ocular conditions. This study
provides evidence for the efficacy of a
highly-trained nurse-led service as part
of a specialist oculoplastic team which
helps to streamline a busy referral service
without compromising patient safety.
EYELID RECONSTRUCTION USING
THE ‘HUGHES’ TARSOCONJUNCTIVAL
ADVANCEMENT FLAP McKelvie J et al.
Orbit 2017 (in press)
The aim of this paper was to assess
the outcomes and patient satisfaction
following the Hughes flap procedure to
reconstruct the lower lid after tumours
have been excised.
This study retrospectively analysed 122
consecutive Hughes flap cases in the
Waikato over 13 years. The technique
was originally described by Wendell
Hughes in 1937 and despite a number
of modifications over the years has
remained a popular technique. The flap
is constructed in the affected eye after
the lower lid lesion has been excised by
incising a partial thickness flap into the
upper lid containing the conjunctiva and
tarsal plate, pulling it down and suturing
it into the defect to form the posterior
lamella of the lid. This unifies the upper
and lower lids and closes the eye. The
anterior lamella of the lid is then formed
by either advancing a flap of either skin
and muscle from the upper cheek or by
a full thickness skin graft. The eyelid is
therefore closed until the lid heals and
the flap can be divided to once again
open the eye.
The authors reported that basal cell
carcinoma was the most common lesion
pathology in 80% of cases and lesions
were excised using Mohs micrographic
surgery in 92% of cases. The average flap
width was about 9.5mm with the widest
flap measuring 15mm in women and
20mm in men. Complications were noted
in 14% of patients who required further
medical management. Surgical revision
was required in 4% of cases. Patients were
satisfied with lid cosmesis in 91% of cases
and with lid comfort in 84% of cases.
Comment: The Hughes flap is an excellent
technique for reconstructing defects
over a wide range of lower lid defects.
It is versatile and easily combined with
other lid reconstruction techniques such
as periosteal flaps. It is well tolerated
and provides excellent lid function and
cosmetic results. The main downside is
the associated period of monocularity
prior to flap division, which may not be
appropriate in some patients. ▀
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
*Dr Reid Ferguson holds an MBChB and a BSc in
pharmacology and
is a non-training
ophthalmology
registrar at ADHB.
Dr Ferguson trained
at the University of
Auckland. Article
reviewed by Dr James
McKelvie MBChB
PhD.
June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
23

Fashion update
Be gone oh stereotype that only nerds wear
glasses. Today, glasses are the ultimate
fashion statement allowing visionchallenged
people to embrace their specs rather
than hide them away and pretend they can see
just fine without them.
And it’s not just us spec-wearers who believe
that. A recent study in the Netherlands found
that compared with 20 years ago, the number
of people who thought wearing glasses was a
handicap fell from a third to just 3%.
Why the dramatic shift? There are a number of
possible reasons, all scientifically backed up (if
you find the right set of statistics):
Glasses wearers are smarter…
In 2014, as a part of the Gutenberg Health
Study, German researchers conducted the
country’s first population-based sight study.
They examined more than 4,600 Germans aged
between 35 and 74 with myopia and found
that 53% of college graduates had myopia,
whereas only 24% of college dropouts did.
Thus, the researchers extrapolated, people who
wear glasses are more likely to have a higher
education level than the rest of the population.
Glasses wearers themselves also think they
perform better when wearing their specs. US
psychologists Jonathan Kellerman and Ian
Laird tested a self-perception theory by getting
participants to perform a series of intelligence
tests with and without glasses. They found
that when wearing glasses, people believed
they performed better on tests of intelligence
than when they weren’t wearing glasses. These
respondents also said they believed they were
more scholarly and competent when wearing
glasses.
So are spec wearers smarter? Glasses wearers
would love to say “yes”, but perhaps we need a
bit more data before we can truly conclude that!
Glasses increase job search success…
A study by the British College of Optometrists
(BCO) looked at the perceptions people have
about spectacle wearers. More than 42% of
respondents said spec wearers looked more
intelligent,
while a third
said they
were more
professional.
Another
study by
Vienna
University
researchers
found people
wearing
glasses were
rated as more
successful
and more
trustworthy
than those
who don’t.
So wearing
glasses to a job interview certainly appears
to have merit as the interviewer, your next
potential boss, may see you as less likely to
cause problems, which is a great incentive to
hire you.
The idea is certainly gaining traction as a
further result from the BCO survey shows, with
nearly 40% of non-glasses wearing respondents
saying they would don a pair of glasses to a job
interview to increase their chances of landing it!
Glasses make you sexy…
Style-Eyes
A UK-based optometry company took to the
streets to survey the public on their views
about people who wear glasses versus those
who don’t. Researchers showed people photos
of five different models – one with them
wearing their glasses and one without – and
asked respondents to rate each photo on how
attractive, intelligent, trustworthy, employable
and sexy they were.
BY RENEE LUNDER*
Ryan Gosling and Anne Hathaway showing how sexy glasses can be
Astonishingly, 100% of the glasses-wearing
models were considered more attractive,
employable, trustworthy, intelligent and sexier
than those without specs. The glasses-wearing
male models particularly came out on top, with
women saying they found them to be 60% more
sexy than their naked-faced counterparts!
What stereotype?
Really busting old stereotypes, however, is a
study by the Centre for Eye Research Australia
(CERA) which looked at whether myopic people
have distinctive personality traits. Researchers
recruited a group of 633 myopic twins and 278
myopic people from a range of backgrounds.
Each participant completed a psychological
questionnaire about their personality traits,
evaluating five key personality characteristics –
extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness,
open-mindedness and neuroticism.
The results? Glasses wearers were not
introverted, more
conscientious or
passive, but they
were more likely
to be open and
agreeable.
No mention
was made about
the variances
in neuroticism,
however, so
perhaps it’s safe
to say we’re all
just as crazy as
one another –
whether we wear
glasses or not!
Plus, from this
set of studies, it
doesn’t appear to
matter if glasses
wearers are
actually smarter
than their nonspec
wearing
counterparts
as the general population certainly seems to
view them as smarter, more trustworthy, more
employable and even (shock, horror) sexier than
those without. And that’s got to be big win for
the spec-wearing community! ▀
*Renee Lunder is an Australian
freelance journalist and proud
specs wearer. “They are as
much a part of me as my
limbs! My children have only
ever known me with them. I
wouldn’t be ‘mum’ without
them!”
Face à Face
Face à face pays tribute to the 100-year celebration of
the Dutch abstract art movement, De Stijl, by putting
a spin on the movement’s modernist ideas. De Stijl,
most famously captured in a series of paintings by Piet
Mondrian, sought to create harmony using graphic
lines and vibrant colour-blocking. Face à Face’s Stijl 1
and Stijl 2 frames, featured here, with their popping
primary colours and graphic lines are a true tribute to
the De Stilj movement. Distributed by MSO.
MCM
German brand MCM (Modern Creation München)
has released a new collection of eyewear and
sunglasses. Inspired by and for the urban nomad,
the round MCM2642 frame featured here is joined
with a distinct, high metal bridge, available in three
colours with a marble effect; Havana, Havana Blue
(featured here) and Havana Violet. Distributed by
General Optical.
Mykita
Mykita’s new collection Studio 5, offers light and
thin metal frames available in four different shapes
and seven pastel colours. The frames are formed
from thin stainless steel sheets covered with a
thick powder-coating and acetate temples. The
champagne gold Studio 5.2 frame featured here
also comes in granite grey, silver and pale blue.
Distributed by Eyestyle Asia.
Barkers Eyewear
Stars and their eyes …
Rosanne Barr
A classic shape with a modern design twist,
Barkers model B112 comes in a transparent
“crystal clear” finish displaying the metal temple
inlay and the workings of the hinges. Barkers says
the clear finish brings out the wearer’s natural
skin tone and character. Also available in black
and Havana colours. Distributed by Euro Optics.
Superflex Kids
Superflex Kids has launched a retro-themed ‘Back
to School’ collection featuring popular acetates and
colourful metals. Designed with active kids in mind,
all Superflex Kids’ models come with spring hinges for
increased flexibility and durability. The vintage round-eye
shape of SFK-179 is one of 2017’s biggest eyewear trends, said
the company. The bright, vivid confetti-inspired temple pattern gives this
classic shape a fun, modern twist. Listed as a girl’s model, we believe this
one would suit boys as well. Also available in purple fuchsia blue, brown
taupe and burgundy pink. Distributed by Dynamic Eyewear.
Kaos
Kaos’ new collection pops with colour and offers both
squared and rounded shapes. The acetate alternates with
metal and all models feature bright colour
contrasts. The KK398 acetate classic
round model featured here is available
in four different colour combinations
and has a little distinguishing feature
in the form of a metal ball in contrasting colours set
between acetate plates on the temples. Distributed by BTP
International Designz.
Comedienne and actress Rosanne Barr, 63, is best known for her larger than life ‘mom’ character
in eponymous TV series Rosanne. She hit the news again in 2014 after losing an estimated
200lbs (about 90kg). But in April 2015 she was once again in the papers – announcing this time
that she had the unusual double whammy of both macular degeneration (MD) and glaucoma.
“My vision is closing in now,” she
told The Daily Beast, explaining how
both will eventually cause blindness,
but her MD was progressing more
rapidly. “It’s something weird. But
there are other weird things. But that
one (vision loss) is harsh, ’cause I read
a lot, and then I thought, ‘Well, I guess
I could hire somebody to read for me
and read to me’.”
Barr also admits she’s a fan of
marijuana claiming it’s excellent for
“releasing us from mind control…” and
“good medicine” for glaucoma.
“I just try and enjoy vision as much as
possible – y’know, living it up,” added
the star. ▀
24 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017

NZOSS update
Enjoying the last days of summer from left; Celine Fung, Simran Kaur Virk, Jason Kumar, Solinna Toul, Helena Chen, Yesom Kim, Vlad Zorzoliu, Maity
Sriskandarajah, Mary Rush, Katie Reese and Louisa Howse
As June arrives, bringing with it shorter days
and chilly mornings, we are all struggling
with the reality that we are almost halfway
through the year.
Fresh-faced, part II students have settled in,
mingling well with their peers and mentors, and
are getting involved in events in record numbers.
Part III students (no longer the new kids on
the block) are mastering the elusive art of ‘fan
and block’, while part IV students are gaining
experience in clinic and putting theory into
practice for the first time. Final year students,
meanwhile, are flying off on various placements
while balancing clinic and research, as the
imminence of job applications looms over us.
The traditional NZOSS (New Zealand Optometry
Student Society) Welcome BBQ at the end of week
one was well-received despite the stormy weather,
allowing everyone to catch-up and reminisce about
the summer holidays, which already felt like a
long time ago! Completion of Round the Bays was
celebrated by the team, in style, with pizza; and
the pub crawl was, as always, a big hit and a night
to remember for most. We managed to capture
the last of summer at the annual camp, which this
year was held at scenic Wenderholm Regional Park.
Campers bonded over quality beach time, team
sports and impromptu cooking, and demonstrated
that the new buddy system has been effective in
further bridging the gap between year levels.
BY ALICIA HAN, NZOSS PRESIDENT
Ogi shines at NY
Trish Orr, director of BTP
International Designz, was in
New York to visit suppliers and
check out what was new and trending
at this year’s Vision Expo & Conference
East.
Considered the largest annual,
international optical fair outside
Europe and held at the end of March
to early April, this year’s fair was a
riot of colour and inspiration, said Orr.
“There was a lot of colour, textures
and different materials being used
by manufacturers from across the
world. Finer acetates were definitely in
vogue; the panto shape was also very
prominent across most brands; while
the depth and thickness of most ranges
has now moved towards a finer look.”
There were also far more European
manufacturers present at this year’s show
than ever before, said Orr, demonstrating how
important it’s becoming on the world stage. One
new exhibitor was Safarro, an Italian brand Orr will
be introducing into New Zealand in the next few
months (see more on this in July’s NZ Optics), who
had a very successful introduction to America’s
leading optical fair, she said.
Orr, who’s visited the show several times in the
past and now knows it well, based herself on
Ogi’s stand for most of the show. Ogi, a leader in
international luxury eyewear, showcased all seven
of its brands at the fair, including Ogi, Ogi Kids,
Innotec, Seraphin, Scojo New York, Bon Vivant and
Red Rose, all distributed by BTP in New Zealand.
“Ogi had a big presence again in the elite secition,”
said Orr. “The company has grown its market
share greatly in the last 18 months and are now
represented in most countries around the world.”
Aside from the usual student shenanigans, the
committee has been busy planning and holding
seminars. At ‘How to BOptom’, senior students
shared their experiences about getting through
assignments, tests and life at optometry school.
We invited speakers from each of our sponsors to
‘2017 and Beyond’, giving students tips on finding
a job and career pathways and allowing us to
gain insight into working as a newly graduated
optometrist.
This year, we are getting involved with Welfare
Week on campus for the first time. It will be a
week of fun and puppies, providing some muchneeded
stress-relief for the students before the
exam period starts.
The NZOSS’ quiz night is held on the last night
of this semester with the winning team receiving
tickets to the popular EyeBall in August.
So far 2017 has been rewarding and filled with
challenges. None of the events would be possible
without the hard work of the NZOSS committee
and the support of the student body. We would
also like to thank our sponsors for their generosity.
With their help, we have the chance to work
together to gain exposure to the optometry
profession, shaping us into better clinicians.
I look forward to what the rest of the year will
bring.
If you would like to collaborate with NZOSS,
please email us at nzoss.uoa@gmail.com ▀
Ogi’s merchandising manager Sherri Sherling and CEO Joe Tallier
Shelley Lieberman Jacobs, Ogi’s corporate manager with Trish
and Philip Orr
This year, Ogi chief executive Joe Tallier also
revealed plans to release new models to each of
its brands 10 times a year, said Orr. “In conference,
Tallier said Ogi’s growth had been ‘phenomenal’
and he was excited about the year ahead.” ▀
Student testing grows
The Essilor Vision Foundation started
screening tertiary students for the first
time in May. About 125 students at Massey
University were tested by Naylor Palmer and
Eye Spy Optometrists in North Palmerston. The
Foundation is eagerly awaiting the results from
this age group to compare them to findings from
the primary school screenings, Essilor said in a
newsletter.
Meanwhile its school children programme
continued to be rolled out around the country,
kindly supported by the country’s independent
optometrists. Nearly 500 students in Christchurch
and more than 100 in Hauraki-Waikato have
now been screened by volunteers including
Sara Stevens from Optik Eyecare and student
optometrists Monica Cho, Mai Phuong Le,
Sara Stevens from Optik Eyecare assessing a student
Maathannge Sivakumaru, Jasleen Kaur and John
Kwak. Nearly 30% were referred for more detailed In other news, from across the ditch, Australian
eye exams.
students’ learning is equally at risk because of
Screening requests have also been received
undiagnosed vision problems according to a
from schools in Papakura, Huntly and Wellington. study published in the International Journal of
But to do this, the Foundation needs more help, Educational Research. A team of researchers at
says Kumuda Setty, EVF trustee and Essilor NZ the Queensland University of Technology screened
marketing manager.
109 year-three children from Brisbane schools and
EVF is also evaluating a possible workplace pilot found nearly 25% had unsatisfactory results, with
study and is currently discussing this with a couple a further six registering borderline results. All were
of potential employer participants.
referred for fuller examinations. ▀
CLC, Curtis Vision’s
expanded home
After several years of
upheaval since the
February earthquake
of 2011, Corneal Lens
Corporation (CLC) and
Curtis Vision Optometrists
have finally completely
their brand new, purposebuilt
building in Wigram,
Christchurch.
“There’s always been
a relationship between
Corneal Lens and Curtis
eyewear,” says CLC director
Graeme Curtis, whose
brother Michael* owns Curtis
Vision. “We’ve always had a
combined environment”.
In the 1980’s, the two
companies built a base
together on Armagh Street,
but that building was badly
damaged in the 22 February quake, six years ago
(see story p20), forcing them to move into new
premises.
“We were out of the building for 29 days with no
access. We had to get labs overseas to help us so
we didn’t let our customers down,” says Graeme.
Once they got back into the building they knew
almost immediately the days of Armagh street
were numbered. Apart from the damage to
the building itself, the aftershocks and general
confusion of the city were not good for business.
The two brothers found a site and began
construction initially on a single storey factory
site, which they shared from 2013 before deciding
to add a second-floor last year to give them more
space. “We put a steel structure over the [existing]
building so we didn’t have to move while they
built the top floor,” says Graeme, adding that
clever construction techniques caused minimal
disruption to CLC’s daily business.
The top floor adds
another 400m² to the
existing 750m² building.
Curtis Vision occupies the
more customer-facing
half of the ground floor,
while CLC’s lab and heavy
machinery is housed in a
specially-constructed area
out back. Both companies’
offices are upstairs.
The CLC part of the
building now has different
environments for both soft
and hard lens production,
says Graeme, explaining
how temperature can
affect production. The
lathes, which weigh
around 1000kg each,
are now in a speciallyventilated
room to reduce
CLC and Curtis Vision’s new building in Wigram
dust inhalation and there are also separate areas
for testing and developing products. Specialrequirement
lenses can be produced on site and
custom-designed lenses can be made in just two
hours, he says.
“We’ve gone from 325m² to 700m². I don’t know
how we managed before. It all looks really quite
cool too.” ▀
*Michael Curtis’ four decades of work looking
after the eye health of Cantabrians was
recognised, together with 36 other locals, with
a Kiwibank Local Hero award in early 2017. As
well continuing the 43-year plus legacy of the
Curtis’ family involvement in eye care with his
brother Graeme, Michael has co-authored a
chapter of a worldwide textbook on how to fit
prosthetic lenses and is currently co-authoring
a speciality contact lens textbook, which will
be used worldwide.
Graeme Curtis overseeing work in the hard lens area CLC – new buidling, latest technology
June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
25

Chalkeyes presents…
To mayor and back again
Taranaki DO, practice owner, mayor and self-confessed recovering racist Andrew Judd was
a talking book at WOMAD. Jai Breitnauer took him out on loan
A
while ago someone told me Maori are lazy.
They said, Maori don’t help themselves.
They can’t manage their money or their
land, they just fill our jails. Their language is dead
and they’re lucky the English saved them,” says
Andrew Judd as he moves animatedly around a
small tent at the edge of the 2017 WOMAD music
festival in New Plymouth. The Sounds of the Hot
8 Brass Band ride the wind over from the Gables
stage, but not even a jaunty brass cover of Marvin
Gaye can break the tension. Judd’s opening gambit
is decidedly uncomfortable – and it’s meant to be.
“Do you know who said that to me?” he
continues. “I said that to me. My name is Andrew
Judd, and I’m a recovering racist.”
Just three years earlier, Andrew Judd had opened
the WOMAD festival as the newly elected mayor
of New Plymouth. He came from nowhere,
running for the seat after just two terms as a local
councillor and hammering the nearest candidate
with a 16,000-vote majority. People liked Judd,
they felt he had their needs at heart; Judd felt he
did too. He cared about the local community and
that caring came from his experience within the
optics industry.
“My background is in sales and retail, and then I
worked in local radio for a bit,” he says, describing
how a chance meeting with optometrist Michael
Browning led him to study as a dispensing
optician (DO). “He told me the industry was about
to change and that they could really use someone
with my skills. When I started the training, I
became enchanted by the industry, by the idea of
helping people.”
After 10 years practising, Judd launched his
own business in 2006 because he wanted to do
something that was very locally-focussed.
“People said a DO owning an optometrists; it
couldn’t work. But our business model is built
on relationships, on friendship. We get to know
all our customers personally – many of them
are friends or people we know through our
children. We developed a trust with our clientele
that not only kept them coming back to us, but
recommending us to others.”
When Judd took up the role of mayor in late
2013, his practice employed two optometrists
who were busy five days a week, plus support staff
– all of whom he had put through DO training.
“We’d won awards in Taranaki. We were well
known.” It was when Judd Opticians won the Top
Shop award that he was tempted into local politics
by the then mayor. “I thought it would be good
for business, how could it not be? I wanted to help
people, and I thought I’d be helping by negotiating
parking issues in the CBD or trying to keep rates
low. I had the needs of my clients in mind.”
Judd had no idea what was about to hit him and
26 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017
when it happened, it blindsided him.
“I’d never been on a marae before I was elected.
My first visit as mayor was for Sir Maui Pomare Day
– a celebration of the first Maori doctor and MP. I
watched as some of the iwi leaders cried during the
powhiri and I realised that whatever I think, Maori
think differently. Their experience is different and
who am I to say that experience doesn’t matter?
Who am I to tell them to move on?”
He realised something then, he says, he realised
he was racist and the position he came from, the
position of white privilege, dictated the way he
had always thought about, behaved around and
treated people from other cultures, particularly
Maori.
“I’ve always thought of myself as a good person,
but when I did the cultural competencies course as
a trainee DO, well I was just ticking boxes.”
“Someone said to me, ‘you’re not racist because
you wouldn’t refuse a Maori an eye test,’ and I said
‘no, but I have stood by Maori customers in the
practice to make sure they don’t nick anything’.
It’s all the same in the end, you can’t be half
pregnant.”
Judd’s unlikely claim to fame, and what he’s
become most well-known for and, at the time,
pilloried for, was trying to set up a Maori ward
seat – something available to all local government
bodies, but requires a vote. The public referendum
result was 83% against the seat.
“There’s a rural ward seat, mostly for white,
middle-class farmers, and that doesn’t require
a vote,” says Judd. “If we turned this on its head
and said, ‘we don’t need this rural ward seat’, how
would people feel?”
People began withdrawing their support for
Judd as mayor, telling him they didn’t realise he
was ‘like that’ and accusing him of racism against
the white community. He was called a bigot and
worse by some constituents. But what Judd hadn’t
banked on was the effect on his business.
“It had run itself fine for 12 months, then when
all this happened I had the staff ringing me every
day. They said, ‘You’ve got to stop this Maori stuff,
we’re bleeding’.”
Judd says patients withdrew their records from
his practice in droves. Some did it quietly, others
sent emails that said, “We should have gone to
Specsavers,” or “You’re supposed to help with
vision but you can’t even see that you’re a racist.”
“Those were the most tenacious ones,” says
Judd. “I can’t judge them, I used to be them.”
By the time Judd stepped down at the end of
his term, opting not to run again, he had just one
optometrist working three days a week.
“I felt a sense of responsibility to my staff. After
all, they were relying on me for income and job
security. But if I did a U-turn, to save my business
oDocs’ Hi-Tech Award
Innovative social enterprise,
oDocs Eye Care carried
off the prestigious New
Zealand Hi-Tech Award for
Mobile Innovation at this
year’s award dinner in May.
oDocs is the brainchild of
ophthalmology registrar
Dr Sheng Chiong Hong
(known to all simply as
‘Hong’) who, together with
colleagues, developed an
inexpensive system combining
smartphones with 3D
printable attachments to allow
accurate, mobile visual acuity
tests, slit-lamp examinations
and retinal imaging, wherever
an eye health professional is
Dr Hong Sheng Chiong co-founder of oDocs accepting his award at the 2017 Hi-Tech Awards
based. Originally developed
to bring affordable eye care to
remote locations, oDocs visoScope and visoClip of awards for the company since its launch in
attachments, with associated apps are now being 2015. Dr Hong, accepted the Hi-Tech Award at
rolled out commercially, both in New Zealand and a record-breaking gala dinner in Auckland, with
overseas to help support the company’s social 910 attendees. Now in its 23rd year, the New
endeavours and product development.
Zealand Hi-Tech Awards celebrate New Zealand’s
The 2017 Hi-Tech Award is the latest in a series High-Tech success and innovation stories. ▀
or to secure my political career, what does that say
about me? What’s more important, the truth or
money? If I have to lose my business for the truth,
then I’m ready to pay the piper.”
Judd says in the end it doesn’t matter whether
people agree with you, it just matters that you
agree with yourself.
“I’ve also had a lot of support. People came to
my practice because they agreed with me. And I
also had letters of support from colleagues, from
optometrists. They know who they are and I’d just
like to thank them, it meant so much.”
Six months on and Judd is finding that old
patients are trickling back onto his books.
Sometimes they book an appointment just to have
a moan at him and he takes these opportunities
to talk to them, to explain his thoughts and, if he
doesn’t win them around, to agree to disagree.
“I’m doing a lot of talking events. I’m going to
Auckland University to talk about Maori health
and I’m speaking to the Salvation Army. I’m also
writing a paper for Massey University.”
Judd says he believes if he can get just one
person to readdress their own thoughts and ideas
on this issue, then it’s all worth it. It has also
changed his thoughts about cultural acceptance in
the optical world.
“Your body language, tone, how we present
ourselves – it needs to be changed, to be more
inclusive. Why would Maori come in here? Is it a
safe space?”
Judd says once a GP told him Maori were the
MORE CLASSIFIEDS ON PAGE 28
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LOCUM OPTOMETRISTS – NEW ZEALAND
As a locum you will be your own boss, you will have
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OPSM.CO.NZ/CAREERS
Andrew Judd, DO, practice owner, mayor and recovering racist
worst at compliance. “I thought to myself, what
are you saying to people with your attitude and
demeanour? How are your assumptions affecting
your patients’ willingness to comply?”
Maori optometrists are, of course, very few and
far between. Judd believes the lack of diversity in
the optical industry needs to be addressed. Why
aren’t materials offered in both languages for
instance? What is it about optics that turns Maori
students away?
“Have we lost sight of what we stand for?” says
Judd. “I became a DO to help people. If I say I’m a
practice that cares about people, it has to mean
all people otherwise it’s just a slogan. We can’t
just be the problem; we need to be the solution
as well.” ▀

SHIRLEY &
WELLINGTON CBD
OPPORTUNITIES
AVAILABLE
TODAY!
ISLANDS
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS IN
WELLINGTON & CHRISTCHURCH
As 2017 gathers pace, so too do the opportunities for optometrists at all stages
of their careers in and around both Wellington and Christchurch.
A number of Specsavers stores are available for you to choose from – and we have multiple positions available, depending on your experience.
We have graduate positions, full-time roles, locum opportunities – and we can even discuss the pathway to partnership if you believe you are ready to
look at store ownership.
Whatever your situation, there has never been a better time to talk to our team about what roles are available now and what is in the pipeline. While 2016
was another year of strong growth for Specsavers stores across New Zealand, 2017 promises just as much for those looking to develop their careers.
Talk to us now and we can tell you about great rates of pay and our unrivalled professional development program.
Contact Chanelle Coates on 0800 717 350 or chanelle.coates@specsavers.com
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Voted by New Zealanders
Reader’s Digest
Quality Service
Award
2017
Best Customer
Service in NZ
Optometry
2017
Millward Brown
Research
No.1 for eye tests
2016
Excellence in
Marketing
Award
2016
Retail
Store Design
Award
2016
Retail
Employer
of the Year
2015
Overall
National
Supreme Winner
2015
Franchise
Innovation
Award
2015
NZ Franchise
System of
the Year
2014
Retail
Innovator
of the Year
2014
FCA Social
Responsibility
Award
2014
June 2017
NEW ZEALAND OPTICS
27

MORE CLASSIFIEDS ON PAGE 26
Naomi Meltzer BSc, Dip Opt, PostGrad.Dip.Rehab.
Low Vision Optometrist
DISPENSING OPTICIAN
HAMILTON
We are a small, busy practice requiring a dispensing optician. Based in
rapidly-growing Hamilton, we are a fun team who pride ourselves on
delivering quality eyecare, eyewear and exceptional customer service.
This role encompasses frame stock purchasing and has the potential
for management responsibilities in the future.
We consider our dispenser to be an integral part of our team
so if you are looking for a position with variety, job satisfaction,
and flexibility in a strong team environment please forward your
application (CV and cover letter) to
ghampton@visique.co.nz
NEED TO REPLACE YOUR
LETTER CHART?
AcuityKit has a comprehensive range of digital eyecharts for eye-care
professionals. Ideal for low vision and domiciliary work.
Visit our website www.acuitykit.com or email john@acuitkit.com
EXPERIENCED LOCUM AVAILABLE
Therapeutically qualified.
Auckland or other regions by negotiation. Please contact Mellissa Teh
on 021 1571136 or hetassillem@gmail.com
OPTOMETRIST OPENINGS
AUSTRALIA
Bupa is extraordinary. We are a world
leading health & care group with over
18,000 people in Australia and New
Zealand, and our purpose is to help
people live longer, healthier and happier
lives.
We have a number of exciting
opportunities in Australia for qualified and experienced
Optometrists. If you’ve thought about making the move
to Australia previously, now is the time to do it – Bupa will
support you each step of the way.
You are an Optometrist who is a commercial thinker with
a strong understanding of the day-to-day operations of
an optical practice. Personally, you are energetic; results
focused and have an unwavering passion for delivering
superior customer service in a highly competitive market.
Each Bupa Optical practice is supported by an experienced
Store Manager, Optical Dispensers and Assistants, so every
customer is provided with the continuity of care that we
expect.
Current vacancies include Toowoomba, Hobart, Adelaide
and potentially Sydney or Melbourne. We are able to offer
competitive salaries for regional locations, as well as
relocation assistance packages.
To apply or for any questions, please contact Aaron Stinson
at aaron.stinson@bupa.com.au
Ph: (09) 520 5208
0800 555 546
Fax: (09) 520 5515
PO Box 28486
Auckland 1541
info@lowvsionservices.nz
www.lowvisionservices.nz
low vision
services
Low Vision Consultations available at
REMUERA, TAKAPUNA, MANUKAU and PUKEKOHE
An Optometrist dedicated to Low Vision support.
PART-TIME OPTOMETRIST WANTED
SILVERDALE
OPSM Optometrists in Silverdale is a privately owned (franchise)
practice/store with a supportive and experienced team. We are
seeking a caring optometrist to join our friendly team and work
around 18 hours per week (including Sundays) or alternatively to
just do Sundays (10am to 5 pm).
Competitive salary package and generous product allowances
for the right candidate.
To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to
tracy.kendall-jones@opsm.co.nz
All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
CHOOSE YOUR
AUSSIE ADVENTURE
At OPSM, we are passionate about opening eyes to
the unseen. Our advanced technology enables us to look
deeper to ensure we give the best care to every customer.
OPTOMETRISTS
QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY
WITH ATTRACTIVE SALARY PACKAGES
We are looking for Optometrists who share our passion
and want to make a difference to how people see the
world. Whether you like the city, the surf or the outback,
we’ve got the role for you with our teams in:
• Bundaberg
• Cairns
• Darwin
• Katherine
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JOIN OUR TEAM
You can look to take on a fixed period role or even
consider a more permanent move – who knows,
you might fall in love with the place. Depending on
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flights to visit family and friends and relocation
support for the right candidate. Start your journey
with us today! Graduates or recent graduates
are very welcome to apply.
CONTACT:
Brendan Philp
brendan.philp@luxottica.com.au or call +61 418 845 197
Kim Shepherd
kim.shepherd@opsm.com.au or call +61 408 763 575
OPSM.COM.AU/CAREERS
WE SEE YOUR
FUTURE WITH US
At OPSM, we are passionate about opening eyes to
the unseen. Our advanced technology enables us to look
deeper to ensure we give the best care to every customer.
OPTOMETRISTS
NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Our New Zealand business is looking for passionate
Optometrists to join the team.
• Whangarei, Northland
• Bayfair, Tauranga
• Thames, Thames-Coromandel
• The Plaza, Palmerston North
• Napier/Hastings, Hawkes Bay
• Willis St, Wellington
• Queensgate, Wellington
• Merivale, Christchurch
• The Crossings, Christchurch
• Dunedin, Otago
• Wellington float, Wellington Region
When you join OPSM, you work within a team who
are committed to providing the best possible eyecare
solution with exceptional customer service. You will work
with world class technology including our exclusive
Optos Daytona ultrawide digital retina scanner. You
will have many opportunities for continuing professional
development and can enjoy career flexibility through
our extensive store network. You can also make a
real difference in the way people see the world by
participating in our OneSight outreach program.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Start your journey with us today!
Recent graduates are very welcome to apply.
CONTACT:
Hirdesh Nair
hirdesh.nair@opsm.co.nz or call +64 21 523 282
OPSM.CO.NZ/CAREERS
M
Y
Y
Y
LX21_OPSM_NZOpticsAU_Advert_2.indd 1
21/3/17 11:14 am
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027 436 9091 stu@opticsnz.co.nz www.opticsnz.co.nz
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28 NEW ZEALAND OPTICS June 2017