Meet Dr Mark Saunders
About Dr Saunders
Dr Saunders has performed more than 10,000 Lens Exchanges and has performed over 200 Corneal Transplants. He has also performed over 500 cataract procedures as a volunteer in developed countries. Dr Saunders has performed over 2,000 Pterygium surgeries and ocular surface procedures.
His decision to become an Ophthalmologist stemmed from a profound respect for the intricacy of the human eye and its vital role in shaping how we experience the world. He was drawn to the specialty of Ophthalmology because it combines cutting-edge medical advancements with opportunities to make a tangible positive difference in his patients lives. Dr Saunders’ career has allowed him to merge his scientific curiosity with his desire to improve the quality of life for others, providing care that truly transforms lives.
When he’s not treating patients he enjoys family time with his wife and two children. Dr Saunders’ main outside interests have included running multiple marathons and adventure marathons in Africa, China, Greenland and the Arctic Circle, New York, Boston and London. Locally, he enjoys fishing and playing golf with family and friends.
Associations and Accreditations
- Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO)
- Cornea and Anterior Segment Fellow, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital – Melbourne, Australia
- Post Graduate Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery, University of Ulster – Ireland
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, MBChB, University of Auckland
- Bachelor of Human Biology, BHB, University of Auckland
- Bachelor of Physical Education with Honours, BPhEd(Hons), University of Otago
- Consultant Ophthalmologist, Tauranga Eye Specialists
- Consultant Ophthalmologist,Tauranga Hospital
- Examiner in Anatomy, Board of Ophthalmic Science Examiners, RANZCO
- Retina Curriculum Review Committee, RANZCO
- Anterior segmen
- Cataract surgery
- Cornea
- Eyelid surgery
- Medical retina
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS)
- Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (AUSCRS)
- Cornea and Contact Lens Society of New Zealand (CCLSNZ)
- Otago University, First Class Honours for the Highest Attainment in Final Year Examinations (1992)
- Otago University Senior Scholar Award (1992)
- Auckland Medical School Stella Baron Scholarship (1993, 1994, 1995 for graduate entrants)
- Auckland University Senior Scholar Award in Medicine (1995) for achievement of an overall “A” average
- W.W. Phillips Award in Medicine (1997) – Overseas Elective financial scholarship to South Africa and Zimbabwe
Volunteer and Humanitarian Work
- Labasa, Fiji VOSO project volunteer surgeon performing hundreds of cataract and other surgical procedures.
- Taveuni, Fiji Lions Eye project volunteer surgeon, performing hundreds of cataract and other surgical procedures.
