Mangawhai Optometrists - Mangawhai Optometrists 1/62 Moir Street

I would not use these guys what a shambles - I was having a scratching feeling in my right eye on the 14 Feb and thought that since I had been doing some home handyman work the day before I might have something in my eye. I rang the optometrist’s surgery first thing on last Friday to ask if it was the right thing to see them rather than my doctor. The reception person ( the optometrist’s wife) said yes I should see the optometrist Which I did later that morning. Mike went through what might be the cause of the problem. He checked my vision and took photos of the eye. He thought there might be a scratch on the eye. He checked my sight in both eyes and noted reduced vision in my right eye. He did identify a condition in my eye that he spoke about with my usual optometrist. Mike then prescribed me an 8 week course of the steroid prednisolone acetate ( 8 drops per day for week one, 7 times per day for week 2 etc etc). He mentioned that it was important that if the scratching feeling stopped in 2 days to not then stop taking the medication. By Tuesday it was clear my eye was not getting better but worse so I rang Mangawhai Optometrists and asked if it was possible to speak to Mike. I was initially told that he was very busy and had no free time to speak to me. With prompting from myself I suggested that Mike might be able to call me if he found he did have a spare 5 mins so I could explain what was occurring with my eye. I never received a call back on Tuesday. The next day I rang Mike directly to tell him what was occurring with my eye. He suggested I talk to another optometrist. No mention of who, just anyone else. I then decided that this was very unsatisfactory and I need to see a doctor asap, which I did yesterday morning, Wedesday. My doctor was unavailable at short notice so I saw a locum who’s immediate response was that I had shingles. She said that I should stop taking the Pre Forte immediately and prescribed me Aciclovir. My GP has seen me this morning for a follow up And was very concerned that such an aggressive Medicinal approach had been taken by Mike towards my treatment and he was also so concerned by the condition of my eye that he has given me an urgent referral Green Lane Hospital. This is a sorry saga. If Mike had asked a few more questions like are you experiencing any other issues - jaw pain skin itchiness he might have joined the dots that I had early onset of shingles. As it is now. My vision has deteriorated substantially in the 5 days since I saw Mike and is concerning enough to have a referral to hospital. If I was to lose my eyesight in my right eye I would be very concerned that Mike’s misdiagnosis and very poor back up service was the cause.

I am so happy with my new glasses. OUTSTANDING service. From consultation to wearing my new glasess. I can see!! Thanks for listening Micheal, thanks for taking the time for a complete and through examination. Carol Ann you are just wonderful too! Thanks again! Warm wishes Michele Bhana

What an amazing team Mike and Carol-Ann are. I cannot believe that Mangawhai has been fortunate enough to secure optometrists of such calibre and expertise, with the most up to date equipment. Top notch professional service in our small community. Highly recommend them.

Brilliant service!! Very thorough with very up-to-date equipment. For someone with a family history of an eye condition, Mike is the man to see!

Thankyou so much Mike for sorting my computer/reading glasses, they are working so well. I really appreciate your patience and expertise, we are so fortunate to have the services of you and your friendly team in our community.