Meet Dr Andrew Thompson
About Dr Thompson
Dr Thompson finds it to be a privilege to be an ophthalmologist and able to restore or improve vision. He has performed thousands of cataract surgeries including complex cataracts and refractive lens exchanges. Although surgery may be required, he still finds it exciting and rewarding to assist someone in regaining independence and transforming their quality of life. Dr Thompson has subspecialty interests in medical retinal disease and its management in addition to oculoplastic procedures and glaucoma.
Dr Thompson is driven to continually learn in the pursuit of excellence. He enjoys the modern surgical technologies and lasers that enable highly effective treatments with faster recovery times, minimal or no discomfort and outstanding results often within hours or days. Restoring sight is about giving patients the opportunity to fully engage with the world around them.
He lives on a lifestyle block with his wife and their son. The rural setting is perfect for his wife’s equestrian pursuits while providing peace and space to relax outside of work. Dr Thompson is an accomplished pianist who has performed nationally and internationally and enjoys tennis, photography, and skiing.
Associations and Accreditations
- BPharm(Hons), Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours, University of Otago, 1991
- BHB, Bachelor of Human Biology, University of Auckland, 1995
- MBChB, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland, 1998
- Ophthalmology registrar training, Dunedin and Christchurch
- Fellowship – Glaucoma, University of Otago and Dunedin Hospital, 2006
- Fellowship – Vitreoretinal Surgery, University of Auckland and Greenlane Clinical Centre, 2007
- Fellowship – Vitreoretinal Surgery, University of Bristol and Bristol Eye Hospital, United Kingdom, 2008
- PGDip CRS(Dist), Postgraduate Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery with Distinction, University of Ulster, United Kingdom, 2024
- FRANZCO, Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists since 2007
- Consultant Ophthalmologist, Tauranga Eye Specialists
- Consultant Ophthalmologist, Tauranga Public Hospital
- Censor-in-Chief, RANZCO
- Federal Board Member, RANZCO
- Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Auckland
- Past Chair Ophthalmic Sciences Committee, RANZCO
- Past Board Member and Trustee, Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ)
- Past Chair Medical Advisory Committee, MDNZ
- Cataract surgery
- Refractive surgery
- Medical retina
- Glaucoma
- Eyelid surgery
- Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists (ANZSRS)
- American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
- Oceania Retinal Association (ORA)
- RANZCO Glaucoma Special Interest Group
- Borowsky T, Bevin TH, Thompson AM, Herbison P, Molteno ACB, Mitchell L. Otago Glaucoma Surgery Outcome Study: examining the development of strabismus causing diplopia in patients who have received Molteno implant surgery. J Binocul Vis Ocul Motil. 2020;70:57-62.
- Thompson AM, Molteno ACB, Bevin TH, Herbison P. Otago Glaucoma Surgery Outcome Study: comparative results for the 175-mm2 Molteno3 and double-plate Molteno implants. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013;131:155-159.
- Dempster AG, Molteno AC, Bevin TH, Thompson AM. Otago Glaucoma Surgery Outcome Study: electron microscopy of capsules around Molteno implants. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52:8300-8309.
- Thompson AM, Bevin TH, Molteno ACB. Surgical technique for the Molteno Implant. In: Shaarawy T, Sherwood MB, Hitchings R, Crowston JG, eds. Glaucoma. London: Elsevier; 2009, 403-16.
- Molteno AC, Thompson AM, Bevin TH, Dempster AG. Otago Glaucoma Surgery Outcome Study: tissue matrix breakdown by apoptotic cells in capsules surrounding Molteno implants. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50:1187-97.
- Stack RR, Thompson AM, Weatherhead RG, Pithie A. The levator aponeurosis exposed. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;24:426-8.
- Thompson AM. The ocular toxicity of fluoroquinolones. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2007;35:566-77.
- Thompson AM, Sachdev N, Wong T, Riley AF, Grupcheva CN, McGhee CN. The Auckland Cataract Study: 2-year post-operative assessment of aspects of clinical, visual, corneal topographic and satisfaction outcomes. Br J Ophthalmol. 2004;88:1042-8.
- Thompson AM. The West Auckland Asthma Care Evaluation. Thesis for BPharm(Hons) degree. This involved evaluating the then new Asthma Foundation Action Plan in a community of asthmatics in West Auckland, targeting general practitioners, patient education, formulation of a questionnaire and assessing the efficacy of the Action Plan and its role in improving asthma management, 1991.
Volunteer Experience
University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Andrew has run several workshops for the Cambodian Ophthalmology Residency Training faculty in 2015 and 2016 to assist development of training resources, particularly online examinations, with an emphasis on strategic development to ensure ongoing process.
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in association with the Fred Hollows Intraocular Lens Laboratory, Kathmandu, Nepal. In 1998, Andrew worked for 3 months with renowned Nepalese Eye Surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit and his team in the Kathmandu clinic and theatre and at Eye Camps in both Nepal and India.
Volunteer Ophthalmic Services Overseas (VOSO), Labasa, Fiji. Andrew has travelled to Fiji with a colleague and optometrists to assist the local ophthalmologist and Lions Club to deliver clinical and surgical eye services.
Andrew has been a Trustee, Board Member and Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee of Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ), a charitable trust that aims to reduce the incidence and impact of macular degeneration in NZ through awareness, education, support, research and representation. He continues to present at local MDNZ public awareness seminars.
Andrew continues to support charitable trust Glaucoma New Zealand with local presentations at patient symposia aimed at informing and educating people living with glaucoma, their families and support networks about glaucoma and the latest treatment options.
Andrew is also involved in training ophthalmology registrars at the practice and through his roles with the College of Ophthalmologists.
