46,000 patients and counting…

December 14, 2017 NZ Optics

Eye Institute (EI) celebrated a big milestone in October for founding ophthalmologist Dr Peter Ring, who has helped 46,000 patients, and is still going strong. Dr Ring co-founded EI with Drs Dr Bruce Hadden and Antony Morris in 1995, was instrumental in bringing intraocular lenses into New Zealand and introduced the first laser for vision correction. 

 

An honorary clinical senior lecturer in the department of ophthalmology, Dr Ring says one of his career highlights was starting the Eye institute in 1995.  “It was a turning point in my career - the first private out-patient eye hospital and clinic in New Zealand.”

 

After four decades at the forefront of eye surgery and specialist eyecare in New Zealand, Dr Ring says cataract surgery and clear lens extraction are still his favourite surgeries. “Giving someone independence from spectacles both for distance and near is a great plus for many of today’s baby boomers 

 

“My favourite part of being an ophthalmologist is the mix of medicine, surgery and technological advancements, meeting my patients, helping them to see better and making a meaningful difference in their lives with great visual outcomes. This is very satisfying.  Many patients say that surgery has been, ‘life changing - nothing short of a miracle’. And, of course, I cannot overlook the pleasure of working with my highly skilled team at Eye Institute.”

 

Jasha Morarji, EI technician and vision correction educator, has been working with Dr Peter Ring for 35 years and was instrumental in organising Dr Ring’s 46,000th patient celebratory morning tea, complete with a large cake, in October. 

 

Keeping up to date with the latest techniques and technology is key to success, says Dr Ring, who recently travelled to Bengaluru in India with Morarji to upskill on small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery.