NZ Optics

01/12/2025

🎄 December Issue Highlights 🎄

The December issue is out now and available to our print and online subscribers: https://nzoptics.co.nz/magazines/ - the issue is jam packed with insights and stories from across the optical industry including:

✨ ADONZ 2025 Conference – A lively three-day event in Christchurch featuring cutting-edge lens technology, inspiring talks, and a celebration of 15 new dispensing optician graduates. From sustainability in eyewear to AI with empathy, the conference explored the future of optometry with passion and purpose.

📚 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – A deep dive into the matrix revisited, exploring how this complex condition intersects with eye health and what practitioners need to know for better patient outcomes.

📸 A Farewell Editorial – and not to forget, a heartfelt goodbye from our very own Lesley Springall, reflecting on NZ Optics’ journey from its humble beginnings in 1979 to today’s vibrant publication.

15/11/2025

RANZCO 2026 in full swing in Melbourne! Having a great time introducing NZ Optics' new owners Steve and James (https://nzoptics.co.nz/live-articles/nz-optics-begins-new-chapter/) to all things ophthalmology and some of our wonderful eyecare professionals and industry players! Full coverage in our February 2026 issue! :)

03/11/2025

November's issue should be with you now! Or all subscribers (print and online) can check it out at https://nzoptics.co.nz/magazines/ Packed with news, including our own 'big' news (thanks for that lovely editorial Susie!) we've also got all the latest from NOSA, the Ocular Therapeutics Conference, Silmo 2025, SCC2025 (including this year's award winners), some wonderful pics from AUSCRS and the EyeBall, a fascinating NAAION case study, an in-depth look at ARN and Chalkeyes is back questioning the ODOB. Enjoy!

18/10/2025

Central CHCH has been treated to a parade of ghouls, ghosts, witches, upside down clowns, spooky priests and more as the 133 ADONZ Conference 2025 DOs and friends made their way to the Gala event last night. The delicious dinner/fancy dress competition followed a morning of crowded-out sponsors' stands and an afternoon of stimulating presentations from AI and professionalism to Te Tiriti and sustainability. Watch out for our full coverage of the three-day affair in our December issue!

01/10/2025

Standards New Zealand is reviewing the Ophthalmic Optics standards and is asking for feedback from the eyecare industry by 24th October via this link: https://consultations.standards.govt.nz/draft-standards/copy-of-copy-of-aged-catalogue-review_public-consu-2/

The following is taken directly from Standards NZ's email:

"These standards have been proposed for reconfirmation, having been assessed as technically valid and still widely used across industry. However, if you believe they are outdated, no longer applicable, or could benefit from revision, we want to hear from you. We welcome feedback from stakeholders like you, those with deep industry knowledge, practical experience, or who use or are affected by these standards in any capacity.

"To support your review, the full text of each standard is available on our website for the duration of the consultation. This ensures you have full access to the documents and context needed to provide informed feedback.

You can access the standards and submit your feedback via our consultation hub (see link above). Consultation close on 24 October 2025, we would love to hear from you before the closing date.

We kindly ask that you circulate this email within your organisation to ensure broader visibility and to encourage feedback from colleagues who may also have relevant insights or experience.

Possible Outcomes of the Review
• Reconfirm / Retain – The standard remains relevant and unchanged.
• Revised - The standard is still relevant but contains outdated content, it should be revised rather than reconfirmed
• Withdraw – The standard is no longer maintained but remains available for reference and purchase.

A Standard May Be Withdrawn If:
• It no longer reflects current practice or research.
• It is unsuitable for new or existing applications.
• It does not meet modern expectations for quality, safety, or environmental impact.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Ngā mihi,

Standards New Zealand | Market Integrity | Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery Group, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, Hīkina Whakatutuki

Find and participate in activities run by Standards New Zealand

29/09/2025

October's issue should be with your now, or all subscribers (print and online) can check it out at https://nzoptics.co.nz/magazines/ Packed with news, views and more readers' letters, we also have details of the latest Kiwi optom salary report, the latest research findings from our own Save Sight Society meeting, an article looking at the resurgence of the scleral lens and our wonderful white-caner columnist Trevor Plumbly is back to keep you amused. Enjoy!

28/09/2025

Rounding off my visit to with a walk in the Marais and there are opticians everywhere! I counted six in one street… Paris might just be the eyewear capital of the world. Merci !

26/09/2025

Arrived at SILMO Paris! So much fun, colour, creativity, AI - blown away! For the full download, see the upcoming November issue of NZ Optics, au revoir!

04/09/2025

Just reminder that time is running out to register for the 2025 Ocular Therapeutics Conference! :) https://store.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/ocular-therapeutics-conference-2025/?searchid=5703&search_query=ocular+thereapeuti

02/09/2025

September's issue with our annual, mega Dry Eye 2025 special feature, with all the latest research and evidence-based thinking on dry eye disease - curated by Prof Jen Craig and her team - should be with your now! Or all subscribers (print and online) can check it out online at https://nzoptics.co.nz/magazines/
As well as all things dry eye, this month's issue has all the latest news, plus the ODOB's response to 'that' Chalkeyes column, all the pictures and pearls from GNZ and other seminars, tips for using the latest AI tools for marketing your practice, the importance in getting lens dispensing right for kids and two wonderful tributes to all your wonderful eyecare professionals from former patients. Enjoy!

31/08/2025

Listen to Dunedin based ophthalmologist Dr Francesc March de Ribot’s interview with Katherine Ryan about EHA’s report on neovascular age-related macular degeneration, identifying health system constraints and barriers to treatment.

Eye specialists say some Kiwis are at risk of going blind, because they're not getting access to the care they need to treat one of the most common causes of vision loss.