Discover more about this New Zealand eye expert below
Dr Verona Botha is a specialist ophthalmic surgeon with subspecialty expertise in oculoplastic and orbital surgery.
She completed her medical training at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to New Zealand, where she undertook specialist ophthalmology training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), working across a number of centres throughout the country.
Following completion of her ophthalmology training, Verona undertook advanced fellowship training in oculoplastic and orbital surgery in the United Kingdom. She trained at the West of England Eye Unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, and at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, gaining extensive experience in the management of eyelid, lacrimal and orbital conditions.
Verona now practises as a specialist ophthalmic surgeon, with a particular focus on oculoplastic and orbital surgery. She provides specialist assessment and surgical care for a broad range of eyelid, tear drainage and orbital conditions, alongside cataract surgery and the management of general ophthalmic conditions.
- MBChB (University of Pretoria, SA)
- PG Dipl Ophth BS (University of Otago, NZ)
- Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
- Clinical Fellowship in Oculoplastic Surgery (West of England Eye Unit, UK)
- Clinical Fellowship in Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery (University Hospital of Wales, UK)
- Fellow of Australian and New Zealand Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeons (ANZSOPS)
- Functional and cosmetic eyelid surgery
Assessment and surgical management of eyelid conditions, including droopy eyelids, excess eyelid skin, eyelid malposition, periocular skin lesions, lid reconstructions and cosmetic eyelid concerns. - Lacrimal and orbital surgery
Specialist management of tear drainage disorders and conditions affecting the eye socket, including watery eyes, blocked tear ducts, orbital inflammation, tumours and thyroid eye disease. - Cataract surgery and general ophthalmology
Comprehensive assessment and treatment of cataracts, pterygium and a broad range of general eye conditions, with care tailored to each patient’s visual needs and lifestyle.
My ophthalmology journey has taken me from South Africa to New Zealand and the United Kingdom, giving me the opportunity to train and work in a range of different healthcare systems and alongside many inspiring colleagues. I have always been drawn to the combination of precision, problem-solving and the very tangible difference that ophthalmic surgery can make to a person’s quality of life.
Alongside clinical practice, I have a strong interest in teaching, mentoring and supporting the next generation of ophthalmologists. I am actively involved in registrar training and currently serve as the NZ Director of Training for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO). I have also chaired the organising committee for the past two RANZCO New Zealand Annual Scientific Meetings, and regularly contribute to national and international meetings. I enjoy being part of the wider ophthalmic community and sharing knowledge through teaching, presentations and published research.
Outside of medicine, I love photography, travel and exploring new places — particularly destinations that are a little off the beaten track. Some of my favourite adventures have taken me to remote and wild parts of the world, including the polar regions.
In my spare time, I enjoy making the most of everything New Zealand has to offer, whether that is hiking, being out on the water, travelling somewhere new or exploring with a camera in hand.
Outside of work, I love travel, photography and exploring interesting places, especially destinations that are a little off the beaten track. I particularly enjoy wildlife and landscape photography, scuba diving, and discovering remote parts of the world, including the polar regions.
Publications in peer reviewed journals:
- Bird FH, Hill R, Akkach S, Choudharey S, Insull L, Botha VE. Periocular Vibration to Reduce Pain during Intravitreal Injection: A Bilateral, Randomized Controlled Trial. Ophthalmology Retina. 2026 Jul 1;10(7):776-7.
- Sutedja TA, Botha VE, Insull EA. Physician burnout in ophthalmology: a New Zealand survey. NZ Med J. 2026 Feb 13;139(1629):49-56.
- Sutedja TA, Botha VE, Insull EA. Work satisfaction, stress and burnout in New Zealand Ophthalmologists: A comparison of public hospital and private practice. NZ Med J. 2025 Oct 10; 138(1623):73-81j. doi: 10.26635/6965.7067
- Botha VE, Insull EA. Causes and management of sight threatening complications of dermal filler injections: A review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Apr;52(3):365-373. doi: 10.1111/ceo.14362. Epub 2024 Feb 21.
- Hossain RR, Ng SGJ, Chong C, Botha VE, Ferguson R, McKelvie J. Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome: Surgical and medical management in an infant with bilateral corneal perforations. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jul;70(7):2633-2635. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_2534_21.
- Botha VE, Murphy C, McKelvie J. Kodamea ohmeri keratitis. Can J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jun;57(3):e106-e108. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2021.09.009. Epub 2021 Oct 19.
- Botha VE, Chow KTK, Salmon PJM, El-Khayat RH, Sun MT, Selva D, Ng SGJ. Periorbital desmoplastic squamous cell carcinoma. Orbit. 2019 Jun;38(3):240-243. doi: 10.1080/01676830.2018.1490438. Epub 2018 Jul 9.
- Botha VE, Taylor SK, Benefield J, Ah-Chan J. Approach to collaborative glaucoma care in New Zealand: An update. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2019 Aug;47(6):798-799. doi: 10.1111/ceo.13485. Epub 2019 Mar 13.
- Botha VE, Ah-Chan JJ, Ramachandran N. Improving accessibility to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for ophthalmic patients in a peripheral centre. N Z Med J. 2016 Nov 18;129(1445):56-66.
- Botha VE, Bhikoo R, Merriman M. Venlafaxine-induced intraocular pressure rise in a patient with open angle glaucoma. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2016 Nov;44(8):734-735. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12769. Epub 2016 May 29.
- Botha VE, Ah-Chan J, Taylor SK, Wang P. Collaborative glaucoma care. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2015 Jul;43(5):480-3. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12479. Epub 2015 Feb 2.
- Botha VE, Evans KF. Medical image. An unusual case of painful ophthalmoplegia. Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. N Z Med J. 2014 Aug 15;127(1400):101-3.
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
- Fellow
- Director of Training
- Member of NZ Workforce Committee
- Member of NZ Executive Committee
- Fellow of Australian and New Zealand Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeons (ANZSOPS)
- Fellow
- Member of Executive Committee
- Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora
- Consultant Ophthalmologist at Waikato Hospital
- Functional and cosmetic eyelid surgery
- Ptosis (droopy eyelid) surgery
- Blepharoplasty for excess upper or lower eyelid skin
- Eyelid malposition, including entropion and ectropion
- Eyelid lesions, periocular skin cancers and reconstructions
- Watery eyes and blocked tear ducts
- Periocular and eyelid trauma (incl ACC)
- Lacrimal surgery, including DCR
- Orbital conditions, including thyroid eye disease, inflammation and tumours
- Cataract assessment and surgery
- Pterygium and pingueculum surgery
- General ophthalmology
Verona has a strong interest in supporting ophthalmic education and improving access to specialist eye care. As a Visiting Visionary with Sight For All, she has worked in Cambodia and Laos, providing training and mentorship to local ophthalmologists to help build oculoplastic expertise and support the development of sustainable specialist eye care within the region.
