David is an expert in vitreoretinal, medical retina, and cataract surgery. He has specialist training in medical and surgical retina and is active in clinical and basic science research.

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David trained in medicine at the Auckland School of Medicine and Ophthalmology in Auckland, Hamilton and Bristol, England. He undertook higher training as a retinal fellow at Bristol Eye Hospital and Bristol University. He returned to a consultant post at Waikato Hospital Eye Department in 1991 to introduce vitreoretinal surgery and sub-specialty medical retina to the Waikato.

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Outside Hamilton Eye Clinic, David is a visiting ophthalmologist in the Department of Ophthalmology at Waikato Hospital. He is also a clinical senior lecturer for the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland and a researcher for the Department of Physics and Engineering, Waikato University (researching computerised retinal image analysis).

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David is actively involved in research into retinal degenerative disease, particularly macular degeneration. He has received several funding grants for his work. He has research appointments with two Australian biomedical companies and is also a research or medical advisor to several international biomedical, surgical and pharmaceutical companies.

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In 2014, David became a trustee of Macular Degeneration New Zealand and is involved in improving access to treatment and education for this country’s leading cause of blindness.

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Through Volunteer Ophthalmology Services Overseas, David has provided sight-restoring surgery in communities throughout the Pacific, including Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

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At Waikato Hospital, David is involved in training new generations of ophthalmologists and is a past member of the Qualifications and Education Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

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David is a member of several ophthalmological societies, including the Oceania Retina Association and the Australian and New Zealand Retinal Specialists Association. He is a past secretary of the Save Sight Society of New Zealand.

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About David

David finds that the retina field has many rewards. Retina is undergoing an exciting period of rapid advancement with new knowledge, techniques and technologies. For example, since 2005, blindness from macular degeneration has been reduced by 30% due to new treatments.

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When not at work, David enjoys spending time trout fishing in the Waikato or sea fishing and diving in the waters of Mercury Bay. He also enjoys tramping and skiing. David is married to Julie, and they are the proud parents of two adults.

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