Tēnā koutou katoa
Welcome to the October newsletter, the first issue following our decision to switch to publication every other month.
This issue we welcome Tina Gao as a newly appointed lecturer. Tina is a binocular vision specialist who has been working with Jo Black and myself on amblyopia and squint and I am delighted she is coming on board in a permanent capacity.
As part of the Well Child Tamariki Ora review, the School of Optometry and Vision Science was recently asked to complete a rapid literature review to answer a series of questions related to vision assessment during childhood. Jo Black, Lisa Hamm and Rebecca Findlay took this on and conducted an impressively comprehensive review of evidence relating to the efficacy of vision screening for amblyopia in early childhood. This review is important as it will help guide government policy and I am grateful to Jo and her team for their heroic effort in putting together this work on incredibly short notice.
Finally some sad news; I learnt last week of the death of Peter Turner, a Wellington-based optometrist with a passion for technology. Peter’s achievements – drawn from a lifetime of innovation – included a sun-following radio telescope, the Berkeley Glare & Acuity Test and various assistive technologies for people with low vision. Our sincere condolences to Peter’s partner Kathy.
Ngā mihi
Professor Steven Dakin
Head of School, Optometry and Vision Science
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences