Dr Andrew Thompson

Cataract, Glaucoma and Medical Retina Specialist

Dr Andrew Thompson

Cataract, Glaucoma and Medical Retina Specialist

“Vision shapes how we experience the world, and helping patients see it more clearly is a privilege.”

– Dr Andrew Thompson

Dr Andrew Thompson’s professional background

Discover more about this New Zealand eye expert below

Experience and education

Andrew is a consultant ophthalmologist who initially trained as a pharmacist at the University of Otago and worked in New Zealand and the UK before commencing medical studies in Auckland. He completed ophthalmology specialist training in New Zealand then undertook subspecialist training in glaucoma and both medical and surgical retinal disease in NZ and the UK.

Andrew is the current Censor-in-Chief of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), a senior leadership role responsible for all aspects of postgraduate education, overseeing the selection of trainees, curriculum, training post accreditation and examinations and ensuring training standards meet the requirements of regulators such as the Australian Medical Council.

Andrew is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists (ANZSRS).

Training and principal qualifications:
  • BPharm(Hons), Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), University of Otago, 1991
  • BHB, Bachelor of Human Biology (BHB), University of Auckland, 1995
  • MBChB, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, University of Auckland, 1998
  • Ophthalmology registrar training in Dunedin and Christchurch, 2004 to 2006
  • Glaucoma Fellow, Dunedin Hospital, 2007
  • Vitreoretinal Fellow, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland, 2008
  • Vitreoretinal Fellow, Bristol Eye Hospital, UK, 2009
  • FRANZCO, Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists since 2007
  • PGDipCRS(Dist), Postgraduate Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery (Distinction), University of Ulster, UK, 202

Positions held:

  • Censor-in-Chief, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
  • Federal Board Member, RANZCO
  • Previous Chair of Ophthalmic Sciences, RANZCO
  • Previous Trustee for Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ)

Dr Thompsons specialisations:
  • Refractive cataract surgery
  • Medical retina, specialising in age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular disease
  • Glaucoma

Travel
Tennis and skiing
Photography
Piano

  1. 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.
  2. Thompson AM, Chee KN, Loh I-P, Sherwin T, Green CR, Polkinghorne PJ. A study investigating a possible link between lens protein in the vitreous fluid of eyes after uncomplicated cataract surgery and chronic cystoid macular oedema. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol. 2014;3:194-7.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Thompson AM. Review of the Moorfields Manual of Ophthalmology. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2008;36:690.
  8. Stack RR, Thompson AM, Weatherhead RG, Pithie A. The levator aponeurosis exposed. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;24:426-8.
  9. Thompson AM. The ocular toxicity of fluoroquinolones. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2007;35:566-77.
  10. 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.
  11. Thompson AM. The West Auckland Asthma Care Evaluation. BPharm(Hons) thesis evaluating the Asthma Foundation Action Plan in West Auckland including GP engagement, patient education, questionnaire design and assessing its impact on asthma management. 1991.

  • Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO)
  • Member of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
  • Member of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists (ANZSRS)

  • Cataract and refractive cataract surgery
  • Refractive lens exchange
  • Medical retinal disease including intravitreal injections and retinal laser
  • Oculoplastic surgery
  • Pterygium surgery

Led faculty workshops supporting development of ophthalmology residency training resources, online examinations and sustainable education systems, University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Delivered clinical and surgical eye care in Labasa, Fiji during a two-week outreach with Volunteer Ophthalmic Service Overseas (VOSO), 2006 [link to RANZCO News 2007] Assisted with cataract eye camps in Nepal and Sikkim, India over 3 months with Tilganga Eye Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1997