NZ Optics

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 However, if you believe they are outdated, no longer applicable, or could benefit from revision, we want to hear from you.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• Revised - The standard is still relevant but contains outdated content, it should be revised rather than reconfirmed
• Withdraw – The standard is no longer maintained but remains available for reference and purchase.

A Standard May Be Withdrawn If: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.

13/08/2025

Christchurch-based ophthalmologist Dr Malcolm McKellar and his dog Quinn (pictured mid-walk) have joined the 2025 Pawgust challenge, walking 300kms to raise money for BLVNZ guide dogs in New Zealand! He's top of the leader board at the moment, but needs your support to meet his $5,000 fundraising target! To make a donation, please visit https://www.pawgust.co.nz/fundraisers/malcolmmckellar
Way to go Malcolm! Best of luck, from all of us at NZ Optics!

31/07/2025

Optometry practitioners, stakeholders and the public are invited to provide feedback on the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board 2026 fee consultation document by 28 August 2025. Read about the proposed changes and how to have your say at https://nzoptics.co.nz/live-articles/odob-consults-on-fees/

29/07/2025

August'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 and views, including our annual Summer and Sun special feature, Phoroter-free-Fridays' drive to unionise optometry, more optom Qs for ophthalmologists, an overview of WGC in Hawai'i and all the fun of the fair from ODMA. While this month's Chalkeyes asks if the ODOB's latest Government submission really reflects what's best for optoms and DOs, or what's best for ODOB? Enjoy!

22/07/2025

TVNZ's 1News is jumping on the cataract-delay bandwagon (better late than never!) with an FB post to viewers asking them to let 1News know if they've been affected by delays (see below). Will be interesting to see what happens... For more on what's happening in this area, check out the latest stories at nzoptics and search 'CPAC'.

02/07/2025

July's bumper issue should be with you now, or all subscribers (print and online) can check it out at https://nzoptics.co.nz/magazines/. Packed full of news and views, this month's issue also has all the highlights, news and pics from RANZCO NZ in Rotorua, delves into synaesthesia and pathological myopia, reviews what is 'good' insurance cover and Trevor Plumbly's back with his humorous look at the blinder side of life. Enjoy!