Specsavers’ Hornby optometrist partner Lachlan Martin administering LLLT to Tim Hildyard

Specsavers is extending its eyecare services, introducing intense pulsed light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT) treatments for dry eye disease (DED) to four New Zealand stores: Te Rapa, Hornby, Riccarton and Massey.

The rollout follows a successful pilot in Australia, with the decision to bring these treatments to New Zealand driven by both clinical need and patient demand, said Dr Ben Ashby, Specsavers ANZ clinical services director. “We know dry eye disease is underdiagnosed and undertreated, yet it has a profound impact on people’s lives. Our goal is to ensure that patients don’t just manage symptoms – they get real, lasting relief.”

DED affects a growing number of people due to increased screen time, environmental factors and ageing, Specsavers said, with IPL and LLLT targeting the root causes, offering long-term relief by restoring the function of the meibomian glands and improving tear film stability.

Each treatment course involves four applications. “We’ve designed the service to be as seamless as possible for both patients and practitioners, with clear treatment pathways and ongoing support,” Dr Ashby said.

In Australia, over 3,000 IPL and LLLT applications have been delivered over the past year to almost 1,000 patients in 30 stores, with 90% of patients reporting symptom improvement, Specsavers said. “We’ve seen patients regain comfort, clarity and confidence. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear stories of people who can now read, work or simply enjoy their day without the constant irritation of dry eyes.”

Specsavers is embedding the new service into its model of care, Dr Ashby explained. “That means training our optometrists, supporting our teams and ensuring pricing is transparent and sustainable.”

Looking ahead, the optical franchise plans to expand the service further. “We’re committed to making advanced dry eye treatments available across New Zealand,” said Dr Ashby.