Dr Malcolm McKellar Ltd is the Christchurch home of Dr Malcolm McKellar, an eye surgeon and specialist based at 1 Dallas Street in Riccarton. He is the only person in New Zealand trained as both an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, and he is known for taking time to understand each patient's needs, communicating clearly and using cutting-edge technologies. His specialties include vision improvement through cataract removal and laser refractive surgery, pterygium and other sun-related eye conditions, and the management of dry, itchy and sore eyes.
The practice focuses on diseases of the external surface and front part of the eye — cataract, refractive error, corneal disease, pterygium, allergic and viral conjunctivitis, tumours of the conjunctiva and iris, blepharitis and dry eye. Dr McKellar performs cataract and corneal transplant surgery (operating at Christchurch Eye Surgery), implants toric, multifocal and phakic IOLs, and removes pterygia and eye tumours. On-site diagnostics include OCT, Pentacam corneal topography, Humphrey visual fields, digital slit lamp and fundus photography, and specular microscopy.
Most patients come by referral from their optometrist, GP or another eye specialist. Riccarton is the main office, with additional clinics in Rangiora, Hokitika and Queenstown. A small, experienced team — practice manager Michelle, practice nurse Barb, relieving optometrist Richard and orthoptist Lora — supports patients through every visit. The site displays Southern Cross Health Society and Climate Positive branding, and the practice supports the Pathway Navigate Initiative.
Dr Malcolm McKellar understands how precious sight is. From his main practice at 1 Dallas Street in Riccarton, Christchurch, he offers patients something genuinely rare in New Zealand eye care: he is the only person in the country trained as both an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. That dual perspective — combining the optical precision of optometry with surgical expertise — shapes every consultation.
A skilled surgeon, Dr McKellar takes time to understand your needs, communicates clearly and uses cutting-edge technologies. His qualifications, spanning optometry, health science, medicine and Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, reflect decades spent focused on eyes. Beyond the clinic, his interests range from humanitarian eye care to fly fishing, and he has written openly about experiences including the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and climate change.
Dr McKellar specialises in diseases that affect the external surface and front part of the eye. That includes cataract, refractive error, corneal disease, pterygium, allergic and viral conjunctivitis, tumours of the conjunctiva and iris, blepharitis and dry eye. The practice website carries detailed guides on each of these conditions, along with self-care advice on topics like warm compresses, using eye drops, lid care and computer eye strain.
Three areas stand out. As a vision correction specialist, Dr McKellar improves sight through cataract removal and laser refractive surgery, using toric and multifocal intraocular lenses to reduce patients' dependence on glasses. As a pterygium surgeon, he has a special interest in pterygia and other eye conditions caused by sunlight. And as a dry eye and allergy specialist, he is an expert in managing sore eyes.
Dr McKellar performs cataract and corneal transplant surgery, implants toric, multifocal and phakic IOLs, and removes pterygia and eye tumours. Surgical work is carried out at Christchurch Eye Surgery, while the Riccarton rooms host a full suite of diagnostic services: consultations, Humphrey visual fields, digital slit lamp photography, fundus photography, specular microscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Pentacam corneal topography. Therapeutic services in Christchurch also include corneal cross-linking, tumour surgery, minor eye surgery and YAG laser treatment.
Patients are supported by an experienced team. Michelle, the practice manager, is the first point of contact and oversees the running of the main Christchurch practice. Barb, the practice nurse, is the first person patients see after reception and reviews all patients. Richard, a relieving optometrist, is an expert in measuring the optical and physical state of the eye and assesses patients before and after surgery, while Lora, the orthoptist, has worked with Dr McKellar since 2005.
Most patients come to Dr McKellar by referral from their optometrist, general practitioner or another eye specialist, so asking your own eye care provider is the natural first step. The Riccarton practice is Dr McKellar's main office, but he also consults in Rangiora, Hokitika and Queenstown, bringing specialist eye care to the wider South Island.
The practice site displays the Southern Cross Health Society logo, and it supports the Pathway Navigate Initiative at gold status as part of a commitment to better eye care for Māori. It is also certified climate positive, reflecting Dr McKellar's interest in climate change and health.
Whether your concern is clouding vision, a growth on the eye, persistent dryness or allergy, the starting point is the same: a careful assessment, a clear explanation and a treatment plan built around what you need from your sight.