Vision Correction Options
 Contact Lenses, Glasses, and Hybrids

Choosing the right vision correction option can significantly impact your daily life and wellbeing. This guide explores the benefits and considerations of glasses, contact lenses, and hybrid options, with particular relevance to Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Understanding Your Options

Glasses (Matapihi)

Advantages:

  • No touching of the eye required
  • Easy to put on and remove
  • Can protect eyes from wind, dust and UV rays
  • Can express your personal style
  • Generally lower maintenance than contacts
  • Usually more affordable long-term

Considerations:

  • May fog up in cold weather or when wearing masks
  • Can be inconvenient during physical activities
  • May cause visual distortions at the edges
  • Can be broken or damaged
  • Pressure points on nose and ears may cause discomfort

Contact Lenses (Kanohi Pā)

Advantages:

  • Provide full field of vision without frames
  • Don't fog up or get in the way during activities
  • Work well with protective eyewear for sports
  • No visual distortions at edges
  • No weight on your face or ears

Considerations:

  • Require touching your eyes
  • Need proper hygiene and care routines
  • Higher risk of infection if not maintained properly
  • May cause dryness or irritation
  • Higher ongoing costs
  • Not suitable for everyone (certain eye conditions)

Hybrid Options (Tū Rua)

Scleral Lenses:

  • Larger contact lenses that rest on the white of the eye (sclera)
  • Suitable for keratoconus, severe dry eye, and irregular corneas
  • Provide exceptional vision quality for complex prescriptions
  • More comfortable than standard contacts for many people

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K):

  • Specially designed contact lenses worn overnight
  • Temporarily reshape the cornea while you sleep
  • Allow for clear vision during the day without any correction
  • Good alternative for active individuals

Helpful Hints

For Glasses Wearers

  • Have your glasses professionally fitted to avoid discomfort
  • Consider anti-reflective coatings for computer use
  • Keep a spare pair for emergencies
  • Clean lenses daily with proper lens cleaner
  • Consider transition lenses for NZ's high UV environment

For Contact Lens Wearers

  • Never sleep in contacts unless specifically designed for it
  • Never use water or saliva to clean contacts
  • Replace your contact lens case every three months
  • Always wash hands thoroughly before handling
  • Carry backup glasses for emergencies
  • Remove contacts if you experience discomfort

For Everyone

  • Have comprehensive eye exams regularly
  • Take regular screen breaks (every 20 minutes, look at something about 6 metres or 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
  • Eat eye-healthy foods (leafy greens, fish, carrots)
  • Always protect your eyes from UV exposure

The New Zealand Context

Local Considerations

  • ACC Coverage: Eye injuries resulting from accidents may qualify for ACC support, potentially reducing costs for vision correction
  • Subsidies: Specific community services cards and high-use health cards may provide subsidies for eye examinations
  • WINZ Assistance: Work and Income may provide assistance for glasses in some circumstances
  • Regional Access: Rural areas, particularly those with higher Māori populations, may have limited access to specialist optometry services. If you're having trouble accessing services in your area, please contact us - we're here to help connect you with appropriate care.
  • UV Exposure: New Zealand's higher UV exposure makes UV-protective eyewear particularly important

Te Ao Māori Perspectives

Cultural Considerations

  • Whakapapa Connection: Your eyes are considered a reflection of your whakapapa (genealogy), connecting you to ancestors
  • Collective Approach: Many Māori whānau take a collective approach to health decisions, involving extended family in vision care choices
  • Cultural Considerations: Some practitioners offer culturally responsive vision care that acknowledges tikanga Māori
  • Prevalence of Conditions: Some eye conditions like keratoconus have higher prevalence in Māori populations, potentially influencing correction choices

Retailers and Eye Care Providers

Major Retailers

Contact Lens Specialists

  • Visique (multiple locations across New Zealand - visit their website to find your nearest store)
  • Clearly.co.nz

Specialist Providers

  • Wellington Eye Centre (Laser eye surgery specialists)
  • Mortimer Hirst (Specialist in dry eye, glaucoma, keratoconus, and orthokeratology)
  • Auckland Eye (Full-service eye care with locations across Auckland, including laser surgery, cataract surgery, keratoconus treatment, and pediatric care. Clinics in Remuera, Takapuna, New Lynn, Ormiston, Pukekohe, Westgate, and Whangarei)
  • Christchurch Eye Surgery (Christchurch's specialist eye surgery center offering comprehensive services including cataract, glaucoma, retinal, pediatric, and oculoplastic surgery.)
  • University Optometry Clinics (offering more affordable options and specialist care)
  • DHB Eye Clinics (public hospital eye departments for complex conditions)

For Rural Communities

  • Mobile optometry services visit some remote areas periodically
  • Telehealth consultations may be available for follow-up appointments
  • Some DHBs offer outreach eye care services

Important Resources

Work and Income Disability Allowance ↗ Contact Kāpō Māori Aotearoa ↗ New Zealand Association of Optometrists (NZAO) ↗ Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB) ↗ Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA) ↗ School of Optometry and Vision Science - University of Auckland ↗ Association of Dispensing Opticians of NZ (ADONZ) ↗

Did you know? New Zealand has one of the world's highest rates of keratoconus, with Māori being 4-5 times more likely to develop the condition than New Zealand Europeans. The ozone layer over New Zealand is thinner than elsewhere, exposing eyes to approximately 20% more UV radiation than comparable locations in the Northern Hemisphere.