We’re Local & We Care
Eye Specialists have been an important part of Northland’s healthcare community since 2005. We take our job of looking after our communities’ eyes and their eye care very seriously. Some members of our team are new to the area and some were born here, but one thing they all have in common is a love of Northland and the Northland lifestyle, so you’ll feel at home the moment you walk in the door.
State of the Art
Our clinic is state of the art. It’s purpose built to ensure you receive the best treatment and after care possible. By using the best equipment we can help you get the best possible result. A range of intra-ocular lenses is used in cataract surgery including specialised implants for multi-focal vision and astigmatism correction for select patients. We endeavor to select the lens that is best suited for your needs.
Our Team
At Eye Specialists we work as a tightly knit team. Each of us plays our part to ensure your procedure or operation goes as smoothly as possible.
From making you feel welcome the moment you walk in the door, through to your initial consultation, your procedure or operation and your post-operative care, we’ll be there. Many of our patients feel so relaxed – they phone in or pop by to chat with our nurses, post operatively.
Dr Brian Kent-Smith
Ophthalmologist
Dr Brian Kent-Smith is the owner and team leader of Eye Specialists.
Born in South Africa.
Medical degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
Specialised at St John Eye Hospital, part of Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. He has undertaken many thousands of operations. Fellow of the College of Surgeons of South Africa (Ophthalmology) 1995
Fellow of the Royal Australian and NZ College of Ophthalmologists 2006
Employed by Whangarei Area Hospital since 1997
Part time private practice since 2000
Personal interests: cycling, running, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, photography.
Dr Stefano Guglielmetti
Ophthalmologist
Dr Stefano Guglielmetti is a fellowship trained ophthalmologist. He completed fellowships in corneal, cataract and refractive surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2010.
He completed his ophthalmology degree at the university of the Witwatersrand in 2007. Thereafter he was in private practice in Johannesburg from 2010 until 2021 and subsequently relocated to Whangarei with his family and joined the team at Eye Specialists in January 2023.
At Eye Specialists Dr. Guglielmetti will be offering Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) surgery and presbyopia correcting lenses with cataract surgery. He is able to manage patients with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
Dr. Guglielmetti is a Fellow of the Royal College of Australian and New Zealand Ophthalmologists, Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, College of Ophthalmologists of South Africa and a Charter Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgeons and Visual Sciences.
Nick
General Manager
Nick joined the team as General Manager in early 2023. He is an experienced senior health leader with a strong business development background, and qualifications in Public Health and Commerce. Nick has held ownership and senior executive roles across a number of established and start-up organisations in the health industry, spanning public, private and NGO sectors. Nick has a strong connection to the North, returning in 2017 with his wife and daughters, and enjoys time on the water and landscaping.
Johanna
Optometrist
Johanna graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry with a therapeutics endorsement from Auckland University in 2010. Since then, she has predominantly worked in private optometry clinics within NZ.
Johanna is enjoying the variety of her work at Eye Specialists which involves post operative care, dry eye treatment and the collaborative management of glaucoma.
Outside of work Johanna enjoys exploring Northland with her young family.
Tricia
Registered Nurse
Tricia has been employed at Eye Specialists since 2007, working in both the clinic and theatre areas. Her goal is to provide safe, professional care to all clients who visit Eye Specialists.
In her spare time - when she gets some - Tricia enjoys walking, gardening and outdoor activities.
Ashleigh
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Ashleigh joined the Eye Specialists team in June 2018 after returning from Canada. She has been working in Ophthalmology clinics for the past two years, including a busy Eye Clinic in Vancouver. Ashleigh works in theatre and clinics and loves the variety this provides. Ashleigh enjoys fishing, hockey, travel and golf.
Jon
Registered Nurse
As part of our nursing team at Eye Specialists Jon prepares patients for surgery, assist with post-operative care, and administers the various tests and procedures we do here that are involved in maintaining vision and healthy eyes.
Jon makes his own surf boards and is involved with the Surf Life Saving movement in New Zealand.
Kate
Registered Nurse
Kate joined the team at Eye Specialists in 2022.
Her nursing background includes many years working in a variety of clinical and community settings.
Working in post-operative care and clinics, she enjoys the patient contact and working within a team.
She has two kids at home and loves spending time with her family, camping, cooking, and reading.
Amanda
Registered Nurse
Amanda joined Eye Specialists in August 2018.
Her nursing background includes many years as a theatre nurse.
Amanda is working in both clinic and theatre and is enjoying the patient contact, variety and being part of our busy team.
She has two active young teenagers with whom she shares a love of the outdoors, water and horses.
Anne
Registered Nurse
Bio coming soon!
Ren
Ophthalmic Technician
Bio coming soon!
Andrea
Sterilising Technician
Andrea joined the team at Eye Specialists in December 2021. She has 15 years’ experience working in CSU at Whangarei Base Hospital and holds a sterilisation CSD certificate. In her spare time she enjoys going on scenic walks when she’s not busy enjoying her grandchildren.
Emma
Sterilising Technician
Emma joined the team at Eye Specialists in November 2022 as a Sterilising Technician.
Tena Koe
Ko Nga Puhi te iwi
Ko Ngati Hine, Ko Te Orewai nga hapu
Ko Tau Henare te marae
No Pipiwai ahau
Kei Whangarei toku kainga inaianei
Ko taku mahi ko sterilising technician
Ko Emmaline toku ingoa
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.
Tina
Administrative Receptionist
Tina joined the team in 2019 as a part-time Admin Receptionist. She has a background as dental admin receptionist.
Tina settled in Whangarei 13yrs ago after marrying her husband in the Hokianga. She keeps busy with her two boisterous boys who both love rugby. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling and boating with the family.
Praise
Adminstrative Receptionist
Joined the team 2023 as a Full time Admin Receptionist
My background is Beauty Therapy and Medical Administration. I enjoy fishing, camping, going to the beach, spending time with my family and on the weekend you will find me anywhere the sun is.
Born and raised in Whangarei.
Christine
Adminstrative Receptionist
Christine joined the team in late 2023 as full-time admin support. She has also recently completed her level 4 qualification as a Sterilising Technician. Christine has a background in administration and taxation. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, cooking, murder mysteries, and spending time with family and friends, including her two fur-babies.
Craig
Ophthalmic Technician
My role here as a technician is to guide you through the questions and testing to be done before you see one of our nurses or doctors. With my background as a registered dispensing optician I'll also be happy to answer any questions you have about spectacles. When not at work, my wife and I love e-biking and caravanning around Northland's beautiful coastline.
Clare
Ophthalmic Technician
Bio coming soon!