Article

New Zealand hospital struggles to treat eye patients with ophthalmologist shortage

A nationwide shortage of ophthalmologists in New Zealand could put more than $1 million of the hospital's funding in jeopardy, if targets are not met by the end of June.

Dunedin, New Zealand-A nationwide shortage of ophthalmologists in New Zealand could put more than $1 million of the hospital's funding in jeopardy, if targets are not met by the end of June.

Currently the hospital has 69 cataract patients on its waiting list and half the normal amount of eye specialists available.

Two ophthalmologists due to arrive mid-year will miss an agreed Ministry of Health target in June, resulting in a funding shortfall of $1.3 million for the hospital.

"There is a shortage of ophthalmologists coming through the system. There are less people being trained, so therefore you've got less qualified people taking up these professions," said Jim Stewart, national chairman of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Newsletter

Don’t miss out—get Ophthalmology Times updates on the latest clinical advancements and expert interviews, straight to your inbox.

Related Videos
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) NeuroOp Guru: Using OCT to forecast outcomes in ethambutol optic neuropathy
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) Inside NYEE’s new refractive solutions center with Kira Manusis, MD
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) Dilsher Dhoot, MD, on the evolution of geographic atrophy therapy: where are we now?
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times Europe) Anat Loewenstein, MD, shares insights on the real-world results of remote retinal imaging
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) Two-wavelength autofluorescence for macular xanthophyll carotenoids with Christine Curcio, PhD
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) FLIO and the brain: Making the invisible visible with Robert Sergott, MD
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) Structure-function correlates using high-res OCT images with Karl Csaky, MD, PhD
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) SriniVas Sadda, MD, on high-res OCT of atrophic and precursor lesions in AMD
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) Christine Curcio, PhD, shares histology update supporting review software and revised nomenclature for <3 μm OCT
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.