Fendalton Eye Clinic – Laser Eye Surgery Centre is the South Island's only accredited laser eye centre, based on Otara Street in Bryndwr, Christchurch. The clinic performed its first corrective laser procedures in 1996, and its team has since carried out more than 36,000 procedures, led by ophthalmologists Dr David Kent and Dr Zea Munro.
Treatment covers the full spectrum of vision correction: laser eye surgery including SMILE pro on the Visumax 800, LASIK and Advanced Surface Treatment (PRK); cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange; a full range of intraocular lens options; and specialised procedures such as implantable contact lenses, corneal cross-linking and Keraring implants for keratoconus.
Every journey begins with a free lens or laser assessment, and virtual assessments by Zoom or telephone are available for those further afield, with laser eye finance on offer. The team's mission is simple: to deliver the highest quality vision correction and patient care, with safety through experience and technology.
Fendalton Eye Clinic – Laser Eye Surgery Centre sits on Otara Street in Bryndwr, Christchurch, and holds a distinction no other clinic in the South Island can claim: it is the region's only accredited laser eye centre. The clinic performed its first corrective laser procedures in 1996, and its surgeons have now carried out more than 36,000 procedures between them — a depth of experience few New Zealand eye practices can match. Nearly three decades on, the centre remains at the leading edge of vision correction in the South Island.
Care is led by two ophthalmologists, both holding MBChB and FRANZCO qualifications. Dr David Kent is described as one of Australasia's foremost vision correction specialists, performing corrective laser eye surgery, cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange. Dr Zea Munro, an internationally trained refractive surgeon, has joined the clinic alongside him. Around the two surgeons works what the clinic calls its dedicated, caring team of eye care professionals, whose focus is a customised vision solution personalised for each patient's lifestyle and visual demands. The team's stated mission is simple: to deliver the highest quality vision correction and patient care, with safety through experience and technology.
The clinic's core offering is laser eye surgery, available in three forms. The newest is SMILE pro, performed with the advanced Visumax 800; LASIK remains the best-known option; and Advanced Surface Treatment (PRK) provides a further path. Because laser surgery does not suit every eye, there is a complete lens-based pathway as well: cataract surgery, which the clinic notes is both safe and effective, and refractive lens exchange (RLE) for those who are not candidates for laser treatment.
Lens surgery opens up a wide range of intraocular lens (IOL) choices, including Full Focus IOLs, Extended Range IOLs, Monofocal IOLs, monovision with IOLs and astigmatism-correcting (toric) IOLs. For people with high prescriptions, thin corneas, abnormal corneal shape or significant dry eye, implantable contact lenses (ICL) may be the best option. Near-vision corrections, including monovision and treatment for presbyopia, tackle the gradual loss of reading focus that comes with age. The clinic also has a dedicated stream for keratoconus, with a highly trained team offering corneal cross-linking and Keraring implants.
For peace of mind, the clinic points to state-of-the-art laser technology: a seven-dimensional eye tracker on its excimer laser for unmatched precision, and advanced SMILE pro capability on the Visumax 800. Treatment takes place in a purpose-built quality laser theatre, and the centre's accredited status is underlined by DAA certification to NZS 8165, displayed on its website.
Everything begins with a free lens or laser assessment — a no-cost way to learn which options suit your eyes. If you're curious before booking, an online suitability quiz offers an initial indication of whether laser eye surgery could work for you. Assessment is followed by tailoring rather than a one-size-fits-all procedure: the clinic's focus is a customised vision solution built around your lifestyle and visual demands.
You don't have to live in Christchurch to be seen. Alongside its South Island presence spanning Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson and Queenstown, the clinic offers virtual assessments by Zoom or telephone, and its website includes accommodation information for anyone travelling in for treatment. Laser eye finance is available for those who prefer to spread the cost, and the team is reachable on 0800 37 39 37 or by email.
The tone throughout is reassurance rather than pressure — 'You'll be wishing you had seen us sooner' is the clinic's own tagline. Whether you're tired of glasses, facing cataracts, or living with keratoconus, Fendalton Eye Clinic positions itself as the South Island's complete vision-correction destination: experienced surgeons, modern laser platforms, and a caring team, all in one accredited Christchurch centre.