Justin is an ophthalmologist from Auckland New Zealand with U.S. fellowship training in glaucoma and in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. He is a Senior Lecturer for the Auckland Medical school, runs the paediatric ophthalmology fellowship training program in Auckland and also helps train paediatric ophthalmologists in SE Asia. He is an ex-Chief Examiner and Censor in Chief for RANZCO. He is the RANZCO representative on Eye Health Aotearoa, the clinical lead of Te Kitenga Vision 2030 Aotearoa, and a co-lead of Health New Zealand’s Eye Health Network. 

Presentation Title: Aotearoa New Zealand’s pathway to eye health equity 

The presentation will outline how Aotearoa New Zealand is working towards achieving eye health equity. The aims are based on RANZCO’s Te Kitenga Vision 2030 plan and are being actioned through two main pathways. 

Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA) is a coalition of bodies involved in eye health support and delivery, including RANZCO, the Association of Optometrists, Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma New Zealand, Blind and Low Vision NZ, amongst others. EHA has a strong advocacy role in the community through awareness campaigns and in the government through our Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health Group. 

The Eye Health Network was established two years ago by Health NZ to provide clinician-led governance to develop and promote a national eye health plan. The presentation will outline the extensive progress we are making in resetting the eye health agenda and working towards improving access and equity over the years ahead.