Southern Eye Specialists has been caring for the eyes of Canterbury and the wider South Island since 1992, when it was established by two visionary Christchurch ophthalmologists. Today the practice works from a cutting-edge facility at 128 Kilmore Street in central Christchurch, providing expert diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
The clinical team brings together twelve consultant ophthalmologists, all medical graduates holding a Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, many with overseas fellowships in glaucoma, vitreo-retinal surgery, medical retina and diabetic eye care, strabismus, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery. They are supported by registered nurses with specific eyecare training, ophthalmic technicians, an orthoptist, an optometrist and a friendly administrative team.
The team understands that having an eye condition can be worrying, so patients are kept clearly informed and guided within a warm and supportive environment. Named specialities cover cataract, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, paediatrics and retina, and the practice also offers New Zealand's most complete range of laser eye surgery treatments, with free laser assessments available in Christchurch, Blenheim or online. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm.
Southern Eye Specialists has been caring for the eyes of Canterbury and the wider South Island for more than three decades. Established in 1992 by two visionary Christchurch ophthalmologists, the practice has grown steadily into the South Island's foremost provider of specialist eye care, working today from a cutting-edge facility at 128 Kilmore Street in central Christchurch. The founding idea hasn't changed, though: bring together expert diagnosis, advanced technology and genuine human warmth, and treat every patient as a person rather than a condition.
That philosophy is captured in the practice's three guiding lines — empathy in care, clarity of vision, quality of life. The team understands that having an eye condition can be worrying, so they do everything in their power to ensure patients are clearly informed and gently guided at every step, in a warm and supportive environment. Excellent guidance, exemplary care and exceptional results are the standards they hold themselves to.
The strength of Southern Eye Specialists lies in its people. The practice brings together twelve consultant ophthalmologists, every one of them a medical graduate holding a Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Many have added overseas fellowships in disciplines including glaucoma, vitreo-retinal surgery, medical retina and diabetic eye care, strabismus, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery.
That depth means patients can usually be matched with a surgeon whose sub-specialty fits their exact problem. Dr James Borthwick and Dr Sean Every focus on disease and surgery of the retina and macula; Dr Rahul Dwivedi and Dr Dickson Wong specialise in glaucoma; Dr Robert Weatherhead and Dr Rebecca Stack are oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeons; Dr Elizabeth Conner is a paediatric ophthalmologist who also performs laser vision correction; Dr John Rawstron covers cataract, LASIK, SmilePro, PRK, PTK and corneal transplant.
The wider team matters too. Registered nurses at Southern Eye Specialists all have specific eyecare training and are highly experienced in assisting with a wide range of procedures. They are backed by ophthalmic technicians, a dedicated orthoptist and optometrist, and an administrative and support team described as friendly, efficient and always willing to go the extra mile for patients.
Southern Eye Specialists provides expert diagnosis and treatment of the full range of eye conditions, with named specialities in cataract, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, paediatrics and retina. Common problems treated include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, retinal detachment, pterygium and watery eye (epiphora).
For anyone wanting to understand their diagnosis before an appointment, the practice publishes plain-language fact sheets on many of these conditions, along with a set of frequently asked questions, on its website.
For patients hoping to lose the glasses for good, the practice's laser surgery arm offers what it describes as New Zealand's most complete range of laser eye surgery treatments. Options include SMILE Pro, LASIK, ASLA/PRK, presbyopia correction for near vision, lens surgery (RLE or ICL), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), and TCAT with corneal cross-linking.
The starting point is a free laser assessment with the refractive team, available in Christchurch, Blenheim or online, so prospective patients can learn about their options before deciding anything.
The clinic at 128 Kilmore Street is open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm. Appointments can be arranged by phone on 03 355 6397 or by email at [email protected], and anyone who prefers to know what to expect can take an interactive virtual tour of the building, its facilities and some of the team beforehand. Trained nursing staff are also available to talk with patients who have questions before booking.
Whether you have been referred for cataract surgery, are managing glaucoma, or are simply curious about laser vision correction, Southern Eye Specialists pairs advanced technology with a warmth that has kept Canterbury eyes in good hands since 1992.