William SmithWhen I was younger, I always hated going in annually for an eye exam. I’d sit there staring blankly at the eye chart, wondering, “Is that an ‘E’ or an ‘F’?”
Then came the part where the doctor would lean in uncomfortably close, trying to check my pupils while I did my best not to flinch.
So, when I got older and needed an ophthalmologist to check on my cataracts, I knew I had to do my homework. Thankfully, the rest of the Auckland Magazine team stepped in to help.
We’ve identified professionals who will carefully tailor your prescription and ensure your vision remains clear without any distortions.
Here’s our curated list of the best ophthalmologists in the city.
How much does it cost to see an ophthalmologist in Auckland?
It costs at least 100 NZD to see an ophthalmologist in Auckland.
This is just an estimate. The actual cost will depend on the ophthalmologist, any procedures required, your insurance coverage, and other factors.
1. Dr. Stephen Best – Auckland Eye
Address: 8 Saint Marks Road, Remuera
Contact Details: +64 800 255 393
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5 PM
We admire Dr. Best’s work with the Sight for All organization. His emphasis on teaching others how to treat glaucoma and prevent blindness speaks volumes about his passion for accessible eye care.
His educational background is equally impressive. He earned his Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Otago. This was followed by advanced fellowship training in glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology.
Aside from that, his skills in cataract surgery stand out. We like how he employs advanced techniques like phacoemulsification. This uses ultrasound to break up the cloudy lens to minimize discomfort and achieve a faster recovery time.
We also value his gentle touch to keep patients comfortable throughout their treatment. Many patients noted how thorough he is and how valued they felt during consultations.
All these nice things considered, there is one drawback. His schedule can be quite busy. This can make it challenging to secure an appointment, particularly for urgent cases.
Provides treatment with dignity and compassion
“Doctor Stephen Best has cared for my elderly mother with dignity and compassion for many years, so when I required the services of an ophthalmologist he was the obvious choice. We are both so grateful to be in such capable hands.”
–Christina Cleal, Google Reviews
Kind customer support staff
“My children and I attend Auckland Eye and we are so impressed by the amazing specialists and friendly, kind customer support staff. I see Dr Best and my children see Dr Mora, and as a patient with congenital glaucoma, finding the best specialist who I trust is incredibly important. Thank you for your excellent care .”
–Amanda Wood, Google Reviews
2. Dr. Shenton Chew – Auckland Eye Ormiston
Address: 211 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush
Contact Details: +64 9 282 2057
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5 PM
We are thoroughly impressed by Dr. Shenton Chew’s extensive knowledge and experience in complex glaucoma and cataract surgical techniques.
We appreciate his use of advanced methods like trabeculectomy, iStent, and Ex-Press shunt. These innovative approaches are designed to improve drainage and reduce eye pressure with less invasive surgery.
His educational background further solidifies our confidence in his abilities. He has completed comprehensive ophthalmology training and holds a Doctor of Medicine degree.
Aside from that, we admire Dr. Chew’s holistic approach. He takes the time to understand each patient’s concerns, whether emotional or social.
In fact, many patients have praised his attentive listening and clear explanations. This helped them feel informed and confident in their care.
On the downside, we found that his clinic can sometimes feel overcrowded. Waiting for your appointment in a packed space can feel a bit frustrating.
Explains procedures and treatments in detail
“I had a fantastic experience at Auckland Eye Ormiston. From the moment I walked in, the staff were welcoming and efficient. The waiting area was clean and comfortable, and the check-in process was smooth. The ophthalmologist I saw was highly knowledgeable and took the time to listen to my concerns. They conducted a thorough examination and explained everything in detail, ensuring I understood my diagnosis and treatment options. Moreover, the clinic’s facilities were state-of-the-art, which added to the overall positive experience. I left feeling confident in the care I received and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of eye care services. Thank you especially to Jacky for her professionalism, kind nature and expertise.”
–Olivia Hargreaves, Google Reviews
Excellent professionalism, service, and efficiency
“Can’t speak highly enough about the professionalism, service, efficiency and skills of the whole Ak.Eye team. From Dr Shenton to KC to Pammy to Sassanah(?) to receptionist. Brilliant! Thankyou!”
–Damian Peters, Google Reviews
3. Dr. Clairton Feitosa De Souza – City Eye Specialists
Address: 2/10 Wellington Street, Howick
Contact Details: +64 9 534 4079
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4:30 PM
Dr. De Souza’s international training is impressive. It includes a Master’s in Retina from Spain and three fellowships in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery.
We value how his global educational background offers a unique perspective and diverse approaches to ophthalmic care.
His work in vitreoretinal surgery is even more remarkable. This specialized expertise highlights his skill in managing complex retinal conditions.
We also appreciate his focus on minimizing discomfort for patients by using the latest techniques. His meticulous care during and after surgery is also a significant plus for us.
In addition, his expertise in non-surgical treatments is highly reassuring. We were impressed by his ability to diagnose and manage complex retinal diseases effectively.
But that’s not all. Patients also highlighted his skill in controlling inflammation and alleviating pain associated with uveitis—a condition that causes inflammation, pain, and redness in the eye’s uvea.
However, there’s a drawback. We were disappointed that his wait times tend to be longer compared to other specialists we reviewed.
Reassuring, and extremely thorough in his explanation
“Dr Clairton was absolutely amazing. He was very reassuring, extremely thorough with his explanation of the procedure, epiretinal membrane peel x 2 eyes plus cataract surgery, and his follow up care was superb. Could not have wished for a more skilled and caring surgeon.”
–Mike Clarke, Google Reviews
Friendly and efficient team
“The team at City Eye are awesome. I injured my eye with a piece wood and they looked after me very well, I was blown away with how friendly they were and how quickly they were able to fit me in. I would wholeheartedly recommend them.”
–Jonathon Collard, Google Reviews
4. Dr. Leo Sheck – Retina Specialists
Address: 20 Titoki Street, Parnell
Contact Details: +64 9 307 2020
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5 PM
We were drawn to Dr. Leo Sheck at Retina Specialists because of his involvement with the New Zealand Save Sight Society. It’s an organization dedicated to preventing blindness.
His credentials are equally impressive. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and a Master’s degree from the University of Auckland. He is also a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (FRANZCO).
Dr. Sheck’s focus on advanced imaging techniques stood out to us. He utilizes tools like digital retinal photography and OCT to gain a clearer picture of eye health.
On top of that, many patients praised his ability to diagnose potential issues quickly and accurately. They felt confident in his assessments and trusted his expertise to catch problems early.
However, we did note a shortcoming. Some patients felt Dr. Sheck was a bit too quick to recommend surgery without fully discussing alternative options.
Explains procedures with clarity, patience, and genuine passion
“Dr. Sheck is an excellent retinal specialist and cataract surgeon. His expertise in retinal pathologies is evident, and I have personally benefitted from his skill as a surgical teacher. He explains procedures with clarity, patience, and genuine passion. I have been impressed by his attention to detail and his desire for constant improvement. Highly recommend for patients!”
–Henry Janssen, Google Reviews
Exemplary service and care
“My experience with Dr Sheck and his team has been one of exemplary service and care. Despite the challenges he faced in treating my condition, Dr Sheck has not only successfully removed the cataract in both my eyes , he has restored my vision ( as a bonus) to such a high degree I no longer reach out for my glasses to read or see clearly. I always felt I was in good hands with him and every member of his team.”
–Money Ponniah, Google Reviews
5. Dr. Brian Sloan – Milford Eye Clinic
Address: 181 Shakespeare Road, Westlake
Contact Details: +64 9 489 6871
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 4 PM
We are genuinely impressed by Dr. Sloan’s exceptional expertise in intricate procedures like oculoplastic surgery. This focuses on surgical work around the eye, including eyelids and the bony orbit.
His depth of knowledge and experience in this specialized field is truly remarkable. It enables him to handle even the most complex cases with precision and confidence.
It’s also reassuring to know that his advanced training further enhances his skills. He completed overseas training in oculoplastic, lacrimal, and orbital surgery.
We also admire his specialization in skin cancers around the eye area, particularly through Mohs micrographic surgery. This precise technique removes skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
However, he may not be the best choice for glaucoma monitoring, as his practice focuses primarily on oculoplastic and skin cancer surgeries.
Despite this, we value how Dr. Sloan takes the time to explain procedures clearly. Even when you have many questions, he patiently addresses each one.
Welcoming, friendly, and helpful team
“I recently had the pleasure of attending Milford Eye Clinic and found all of the administrative staff to be very welcoming, friendly and helpful, a really nice environment. Dr Brian Sloan subtly exemplifies efficiency, skill and professionalism and was very informative and reassuring, really pleased with the outcome. The epitome of great service! Well done MEC!”
-Simon Goodlud, Google Reviews
Excellent service
“Excellent service and professional team!”
–Katy Merz, Google Reviews
