Vision Correction

Whakatika Mata

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.

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