Following a change in the law, suitably qualified optometrists can now prescribe treatment for front of eye disease such as conjunctivitis.

To be able to prescribe, optometrists must have completed an 18-month university course and hospital experience, in addition to their other qualifications. At the moment only about 200 of New Zealand's 500 optometrists have achieved the new qualification Certificate in Ocular Pharmacology... our own David Burn and Damian Koppens were amongst the first to prescribe for front of the eye infections.

"This is the biggest change in optometry for 50 years," says David. "We can now diagnose and offer prescription eye drops and ointments for eye infections that may have previously meant visiting a doctor or ophthalmologist."

So if you have red, sore eyes you have the option of visiting your doctor or coming to us.  With most of our optometrists therapeutically qualified we can offer this in all practices.