Retinal surgeon visits Wanaka

Retinal surgeon visits Wanaka

Doctor Mr Harry Bradshaw has completed his first private ophthalmology clinic in Wanaka this Saturday. Dr Bradshaw is a vitreo-retinal surgeon who has undertaken his training in Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, then he returned to Dunedin in 2013. His medical degree then ophthalmology diploma was obtained at Otago University, then he headed to Auckland for ophthalmology training before moving to England.

Most of Mr Bradshaw's time is spent working in the Eye Department in the Dunedin public hospital where he is the resident expert in retinal repairs and surgery for all of the lower South Island. In 2014 Mr Bradshaw started a private clinic out of Dunedin, specializing in cataract surgeries, genetic eye disease and retinal eye disease. Retinal disease can range from injuries and spontaneous retinal detachment all the way through to macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is a disease that affects the central part of the eye, which can progress slowly over time or suddenly. It affects 1 in every 7 people over the age of 50, and 1 in 4 over the age of 70. In the past there has been very little to be done to treat macular degeneration, but early detection and new drug options have meant some advances in being able to slow down or stop the progression for some patients.

With the arrival of the OCT scanning technology in Wanaka, Mr Bradshaw has made the decision to run a clinic for his private patients to look after people closer to home. Mr Bradshaw says that "I understands the trip to Dunedin can be tiresome, mean time off work, and having someone take time off work to drive you home, so it makes sense we offer the people of Wanaka and surrounding area an option to be seen without the travel. We understand that the population here in Central is growing at a rate second only to Auckland and as the population ages there will only be more demand for services such as this in the regions. We want to be able to meet people half way. With the support of Tui, Katie and the team along with their significant investment in eye care by purchasing the OCT, we have finally been able to make this happen" The clinics are run from Central Vision Optometry in the Wanaka Lakes Health Center on a Saturday and will run approximately every six weeks.

Harry lives in Dunedin with his wife and young daughter, and when not doing eye surgeries, enjoys family time, mountain biking, and especially skiing.

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