We work together for the betterment of everyone
We have a strong commitment to public health and the advancement of eye care in New Zealand. Within our practice we work collegiately to find the best solutions for our patients, and we do the same with others in the industry, working with colleagues to provide advice and share knowledge.
As individual partners we have founded and represent different charity organisations dedicated to supporting people affected by retinal disease and take an active role in the industry as advocates, researchers and teachers.
Philanthropy
Dr Leo Sheck currently holds the chair of New Zealand Save Sight Society, which is a major funder of New Zealand ophthalmic research.
Associate Professor Andrea Vincent is on the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of Retina International and Retina New Zealand, is Vice Chair of the New Zealand Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO).
Retina Specialists and its directors are supporters of Macular Degeneration NZ, contributing through the professional friends program, and giving public education seminars. MDNZ is a prominent charity supporting work to combat macular degeneration in NZ. It was founded by Dr Dianne Sharp, a former director of Retina Specialists, who was awarded the ONZM in 2019 for her work in this field.
Further information can be found in the links below.
Research
Associate Professor Andrea Vincent leads the ocular genetics research group in the University of Auckland. This is the only research group focusing on genetic eye diseases in New Zealand, and has worldwide collaborations. Patients with inherited retinal diseases seen at Retina Specialists will benefit from the opportunity to be included in the Database of Inherited Retinal and Optic Nerve Disease at the University of Auckland, which means they will receive the most up to date information regarding their diseases.
The team in Retina Specialists also run clinical studies on site, in particular those on retinal diseases.