Dr Michael Merriman (back), clinical application specialist Stephanie Wang and optometry student Rishi Khattar (front) trying out SMILE

Arriving at Hamilton’s Laser Eye Centre's Education Evening, I knew I was in for an experience that would transcend the boundaries of my profession as an optometrist. As the night unfolded, we delved into the nuances of infectious keratitis, recurrent corneal erosion management and the importance of contrast sensitivity after cataract surgery.

The CPD-awarding night drew optometrists from across the Waikato. While esteemed Hamilton Eye Clinic ophthalmologists Drs Bheema Patil, Michael Merriman and Benjamin Hoy delivered captivating presentations, my highlight of the evening was the rare privilege to perform SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) using the Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond laser on a cadaver eye. Dr Merriman performed the procedure beautifully before guiding us through the process in the theatre. The SMILE procedure's flapless and minimally invasive nature, guided by femtosecond laser, is the epitome of precision and safety. The experience was awe-inspiring, leaving me humbled by how such a microscopic and relatively quick procedure can transform the lives of patients. The opportunity to engage with this state-of-the-art technology underscored the importance of continuous learning and skill development.

Dr Patil’s in-depth exploration of infectious keratitis management was also fascinating. This sight-threatening condition demands prompt and astute intervention. The discussion that followed delved into the latest diagnostic tools and therapeutic modalities, including the use of lasers in severe cases to mitigate scarring, and emphasised the importance of early detection and coordinated care between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Dr Merriman’s presentation on managing recurrent corneal erosions also raised the potential of lasers to enhance patient comfort and vision.

Ending the educational part of the evening, Dr Hoy discussed the different contrast sensitivity issues that can arise in cataract patients with multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). This session sparked engaging conversations, since contrast sensitivity issues are a phenomenon we also see fairly often with patients using multifocal contact lenses. The impact on functional vision underscored the importance of personalised patient counselling, empowering patients with knowledge so they can make informed decisions leading to greater treatment satisfaction.

I would like to thank Laser Eye Centre optometrist Melissa Zhang for organising such an insightful and fun event. The experience of performing SMILE redefined my understanding of precision and technology in refractive surgery, while exploring infectious keratitis management, contrast sensitivity issues with multifocal IOLs and the use of lasers for recurrent corneal erosions illuminated new pathways in exceptional patient care.

Rishi Khattar is an optometrist at Specsavers in Hamilton and a former NZOSS president. Among his tech-based hobbies, he runs an enterprise-level home IT network.