Working on the periphery – impostor syndrome
If you have impostor syndrome, you're not alone!
6 min read
NM
Naomi Meltzer
Naomi Meltzer is an optometrist who has recently retired from running an independent practice specialising in low-vision consultancy. She is a regular contributor to NZ Optics.
46 articles
Glaucoma and AMD – the thieves of sight in the night
An 83-year-old retiree was referred to me for some assistance with reading. He told me on the phone about his long history of glaucoma treatment and discussions with his eye specialist indicated he had “reached the end of the road for treatment”. He was aware of reduced depth perception and concerne
7 min read
Insights and eye-openers from EI's 30th
One would think that after its 29th annual conference, there wouldn’t be much left to talk about, but the Eye Institute (EI) managed to come up with another relevant and interesting programme for its
13 min read
Anti-presbyopia drops - are we there yet?
When I wrote a review of anti-presbyopia drops in December 2021’s issue, I felt sure we were soon to be swamped with myriad pharmaceuticals – real and cloned – to rid us of one of life’s greatest inconveniences: the dreaded presbyopia. Strangely, that does not appear to have happened – I have not he
5 min read
NAAION is nasty
Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAAION) is a condition where blood flow to the optic nerve is suddenly reduced, causing damage and sudden vision loss, like a stroke affecting the optic nerve.
8 min read
Bright minds shine light on ocular therapeutics
Until invited to report on the Ocular Therapeutics Conference (OTC), I’d thought the acronym stood for ‘over the counter’. I wondered if I was being sent to report on the OTT advertising of a certain pharmacy chain. However, the OTC is the only New Zealand meeting focused entirely on ocular therapeu
14 min read
Case study: The reality beyond cataract surgery
At first glance, this appeared to be a 74-year-old man struggling with the aftermath of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The referral letter stated: Ocular diagnosis Right homonymous hemianopi
6 min read
The great retina vs glaucoma specialists showdown
The first Eye Institute optometry seminar for 2025 eschewed the usual format of guest lecturers and quickfire presentations of unusual cases in favour of a more relaxed and entertaining wrestling matc
6 min read
EI’s Sunday morning of eyecare pearls
Driving into the Aotea Centre early on an almost-summer Sunday morning felt a bit odd – not quite ready for work but not quite in relaxed weekend mode either. The unusual lack of traffic was noted, as was the normal plethora of roadworks, for those unaccustomed to driving in Auckland’s CBD. Greeted
12 min read
Genes and gems with Retina Specialists
Retina Specialists’ winter educational evening for optometrists had both genes and gems on the menu.
7 min read
A patient’s arduous journey to cataract surgery
A 74-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic went for his diabetic retinal screening (DRS) last year but was told his retina could not be seen due to cataracts. They advised him to go to the eye clinic to arrange surgery.
5 min read