Ophthalmology Service

Ophthalmology is the study of medical conditions relating to the eye including cataracts, eye infections, glaucoma, optic nerve problems, or other eye conditions.

Our team run eye clinics at: 

• Wellington Hospital (Riddiford Street, Newtown)
• Kenepuru Hospital (Rahia St, Porirua)
• Hutt Hospital (High St, Lower Hutt).

We also care for babies with eye conditions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Wellington Hospital.

When you come to one of our eye clinics you will often be assessed or treated by several members of the Eye Department team. You may be in the Eye Department for several hours as we do various tests or treat your condition.

As part of the examination of your eyes, we may need to put drops into your eyes to dilate the pupil so the back of the eye (retina) can be examined. The drops may cause blurred vision and light sensitivity. 

Useful Resources

Cataracts

Cataract Surgery – Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Paediatric Cataract Surgery - Post operative Care and Advice for Parents and Caregivers

Corneal Graft Surgery – Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) Surgery - Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Diabetic Retinopathy

You need to be referred to an eye clinic by your GP or optometrist. Patients needing emergency care are referred by other hospital doctors.

Enucleation Surgery - Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Eyelid Surgery - Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Do I need to bring anything?

Please bring your current glasses and any eye drops you are using to your appointment. Our service will have access to your medical records. You are welcome to bring a family/whānau member with you to your appointment. We also have access to sign language and language interpreters if this is required. Please let us know if you need these when you make your initial booking.

If you are Diabetic, please remember to bring snacks and any necessary medication with you. Please also bring any new prescribed medication with you.

As you may need dilating drops inserted, please ensure you have a family member/friend who is able to drive you home.   If this is not possible, please use public transport.

Fluorescein Photography Clinic - Patient Information

Post Fluorescein Photography - Patient Discharge Information

General Eye Care - Patient Discharge Information

Glaucoma

Glaucoma Surgery - Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Intravitreal Avastin

Retinal Detachment

Save Sight Society

Silicone Oil Removal - Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Squints

Paediatric Squint Surgery - Post operative Care and Advice for Parents and Caregivers

Temporal Artery Biopsy - Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

Vitrectomy and Retinal Detachment - Post operative Care and Advice for Patients

During your visit you may meet:

• Ophthalmologists -  Doctors who are trained in the study of eyes. Most will be trained in eye surgery, and often have particular areas of interest or expertise.
  
• Nurses - give telephone advice and provide advice on managing your condition. They test vision and do preliminary eye assessments and also surgical preassessments.  Some of the nurses have their own clinics.
• Optometrists -  who work with ophthalmologists in to care for patients with glaucoma patients
• Orthoptists - who assess children's vision and help manage squints. They also assess and help manage double vision and nerve disorders in adults.
• Ophthalmic technicians- who do specialised tests including ocular CT scans, perimetry, visual fields and retinal photography.

We’re based on level 9 of the Grace Neill Block at Wellington Regional Hospital.

View a map of how to get to the Eye Clinic at Wellington Regional Hospital.

Ph 04 806 0992