My job: A focus on life-altering medicine

Jennifer Kinsella says gaining patients' trust is a big challenge. Photo / Graeme Sedal

Name: Jennifer Kinsella
Age: 32
Role: Ophthalmic technician
Employer: Dr Nick Mantell, Eye Institute. Mainly based at 125 Remuera Rd but with clinics on the North Shore, New Lynn and Manukau.
Working hours: Approx 40 hours a week
Typical salary: $40k to $80k plus, dependent on technician's background and experience.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Medical Science, Bachelor of Optometry.

Describe your job.

An ophthalmic technician assists ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) to diagnose and treat eye problems. My position involves liaising with patients to take their history details and visual assessment followed by ophthalmic measurements relating to their condition and problems. We also assist with ophthalmic surgery such as refractive and cataract surgery.

Your work history?

I graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Medical Science specialising in orthoptics. I worked for two years in the UK as an orthoptist before taking up the orthoptist position at the Manukau Superclinic in Auckland.

After 18 months I joined Eye Institute as an ophthalmic technician, and in January last year joined the team of cataract and laser surgeon Dr Nick Mantell.

You started as an orthoptist and moved into being an ophthalmic technician. What are the differences between these roles?

The focus of orthoptics is the evaluation and treatment of disorders of vision, eye movements and eye alignment in children and adults. The professional role of the orthoptist includes examining patients with eye problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (squint). Orthoptists diagnose these problems and determine the appropriate management.

An ophthalmic technician works alongside an ophthalmologist, assessing a larger scope of patients relating to all types of eye conditions and concerns including cataracts, glaucoma, corneal and eye movement disorders, retinal problems and specialised refractive surgery treatment. Ophthalmic technicians assist the ophthalmologist by taking detailed patient histories, measuring and recording vision, administering specialised diagnostic tests and assisting in surgery.

What changes have you seen in your decade in ophthalmology?

There have been huge technological advances in all areas of ophthalmology, particularly with cataract and refractive surgery. It is now possible to correct a wide range of refractive errors with iLASIK surgery (the all laser vision surgery) which provides fast, safe surgery with exceptional outcomes called IntraLase.

Revolutionary non-stitch cataract surgery is widely used, meaning the recovery period for cataract surgery is shortened and normal activities can be resumed within a few days.

What skills do you need for this role?

Ophthalmic technicians come from a variety of different training paths. In New Zealand, technicians typically have an orthoptist, optometry or nursing degree as well as ongoing clinical training in developing technology and visual disorders.

Even after meeting the educational standards, technicians require excellent communication skills and need to have a genuine interest in, and ability to work with, a range of people, as an important part of our role is to ensure the patient is put at ease.

You started in the UK. How did you end up in New Zealand?

Halfway through a cold winter in the UK, a job was advertised by the British Orthoptic Society for an 18-month role as an Orthoptist at the Manukau Superclinic.

I applied, had a phone interview and one month later I was on a plane heading for New Zealand! Nine years later I'm still here.

Any stories from people you have met and the difference your work has made to their vision?

Considering I've assisted with thousands of refractive eye surgery procedures, the amazement of patients who realise they no longer need glasses or contact lenses the day following surgery is still rewarding.

I remember a girl who had ongoing eye problems from childhood and hid behind extremely thick glasses through her teens. She transformed into a confident person thanks to refractive cataract surgery which ensured she got rid of those glasses.

The job's main challenges?

Gaining patient trust is probably the biggest challenge. Patients are often extremely nervous.

It is common to hear a patient saying, "I can't bear anyone near my eyes" only to go on and have treatment and successful surgical outcomes.