Callaghan & McKinlay Optometrists is an independently owned and operated optometry practice in Lower Hutt, first established in 1959. The practice has provided the Lower Hutt area with optical care, glasses and contact lenses for over 30 years, building a reputation as a long-established, locally trusted business.
Rather than rushing clients through consultations, the team focuses on long, thorough eye examinations and personalised service, aiming to build lasting relationships with the people it serves. The practice team includes Janice as Practice Manager, alongside optometrists John Callaghan and Judith McKinlay.
Beyond eye exams, Callaghan & McKinlay stocks a wide range of spectacle frames and lenses, offers contact lens fitting and aftercare, and provides more specialised assessments such as visual field testing for glaucoma, retinal photography, and drivers licence vision screening. The practice is also a Ministry of Social Development preferred partner, offering WINZ quotes for eligible clients.
Callaghan & McKinlay Optometrists has been part of the Lower Hutt community since 1959, growing into a long-established, independently owned optometry practice known for taking its time with every client.
Rather than rushing clients in and out, Callaghan & McKinlay focuses on long, thorough eye examinations aimed at genuinely personalised service. As a local, independently owned business, the team says it understands the concerns of its customers and works to meet their individual needs — an approach it credits for the lasting relationships it has built with clients over more than three decades. The practice team is led by Practice Manager Janice, alongside optometrists John Callaghan and Judith McKinlay.
Beyond standard eye tests, the practice offers a comprehensive eye exam covering vision and eye health, contact lens assessments including fitting, instruction and aftercare, and a drivers licence screening option — a shorter consultation offered at a reduced fee. For more specific concerns, Callaghan & McKinlay also provides a visual field exam to assess central and peripheral vision for conditions like glaucoma, retinal photography to document the back of the eye for future reference, and a dilated retinal exam using eye drops for a more detailed view. Other services include assessment and treatment of red eye, eyelash removal, and Cellfield assessments for reading difficulties.
The practice stocks a wide range of spectacle frames from brands including Silhouette, Prodesign, Jaguar, William Morris, Kate Sylvester and many others, with staff able to advise on fit and style. Frames can even be taken away on approval before committing to a purchase, and the practice offers a repair service along with free adjustments. On the lens side, Callaghan & McKinlay discusses options suited to different lifestyles and working environments, including single vision lenses (the most common option for people under 45), high refractive index lenses for a thinner, lighter fit, anti-reflection coatings, transitions lenses, and polarised lenses for glare protection. The practice also stocks sunglasses, including Fitovers, clip-ons and Baby Banz for children, along with cases, cleaning solutions, contact lens solutions, eye drops and ready-made readers.
Callaghan & McKinlay currently offers a $299 package deal covering a frame and single vision lenses with selected frames, giving clients an accessible entry point for new eyewear. The practice is also listed as a Ministry of Social Development preferred partner, offering WINZ quotes for clients who may be eligible for assistance with their eye care costs.
Callaghan & McKinlay Optometrists is located at 35 Waterloo Road, Lower Hutt City, Wellington 5010. The practice is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm, with extended hours on Thursdays until 7pm — a useful option for anyone who can't make it in during standard weekday hours. Appointments and enquiries can be made by phone or email, and the practice is also listed on Yellow Pages and White Pages for those searching locally.