Four students from Taiwan visited New Zealand for four weeks in July and August as part of an exchange programme set up with the new Optometry Department at Asia University, which was recently established by Samuel Chang (BOptom and PhD from SOVS). The students visited a range of optometry clinics around the country thanks to some very supportive mentors.
Amongst the Auckland hosts was Mihiri Jayasundera, owner of Spex For You, which is located in the Auckland CBD. Mihiri taught them how to use anterior segment OCT as they didn’t have that skill, although they did know posterior segment OCT. Mihiri also presented two glaucoma cases on Powerpoint which they found interesting, and did a frame dispensing scenario. Other Auckland-based hosts were Nick Matthew of Re:Vision in Mt Wellington, Ming Wang of Albany Optometrists, Rob Ng at Visique Frith & Laird in Manurewa, Melissa Hay from Visique Milford, and the Eye Institute.
South Island optometrists who provided support and hosting for the students included Neil Robertson, Erin O’Connor, and Steven Hanson at the Matthews practice in various locations, Katie and Jill at the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre, and Hunter Hill at the Alexandra Practice. Hunter’s additional time and efforts in taking the students out for winter sports was greatly appreciated by the students.