The network includes ophthalmology, optometry, orthoptics, nursing and patient advocacy representatives. “If we add in the various workstream members, then we have 47 members from nine professions and 14 districts around the country. So, the network is highly diversified.”
Examples of effective collaboration include development of a keratoconus action plan, addressing a condition that disproportionately affects Māori and Pasifika rangatahi, and a programme to shift 10,000 routine public hospital cataract follow-ups to community optometry.
“That programme will allow patients to be seen closer to home and will reinforce their relationship with their local optometrist, as well as freeing up hospital appointment spaces for other patients,” Dr Mora said.
The initiative followed a RANZCO–NZAO meeting in June 2025 and a proposal to Health NZ’s executive leadership team in October 2025. “It was met with great enthusiasm and with support from the minister down. The programme will start rolling out in October this year. This is a prime example of the effectiveness of working together.”
At the recent Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health event at the Beehive, RANZCO and Eye Health Aotearoa (EHA) signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to promote eye health. “We are collaborating on the next iteration of the college’s prescription for improvement, Te Kitenga Vision 2030. The advocacy voice that EHA brings, along with the wide community consultation that has been undertaken, will ensure that we do speak with one voice,” said Dr Mora.
However, he said there was still considerable room for improvement.
“In essence, I do think we are leading the way but there is still much we can learn from other countries,” he said, citing free spectacles for children in the UK. “We need to do better with our outreach services, as many geographical areas are still poorly served. While we have introduced national access criteria to ensure equal prioritisation for given conditions irrespective of location, wait times for appointments are still too long.
“We need more collaboration and more support from our colleagues in optometry, orthoptics and nursing, to deliver care effectively. We also need far better support and rehabilitation services for those who have lost sight.”