Beginnings and History of Tauranga Optometrists

In 1942 Mr Bob Abbott moved to Tauranga, and set up a part time Optometry business at 16A Devonport Road, Tauranga. This became the beginning of Tauranga Optometrists.
 
In 1946 Doug Stevenson acquired the business. The original rooms soon became far too small, so in 1952 he moved into new premises in Harty's building Grey Street, which was the first commercial building, built after the war. He again needed more space and in 1958 moved to the new Power Board Building in Spring Street. During those years various optometrists worked for Doug.

Graeme Nicholls joined him in December 1981 and became a partner in 1983. Ron Fyfe then acquired Doug's share of the practice in September 1989, and Doug finally retired in September 1992. In 2008 Tauranga Optometrists joined the Carlisle Mason group of Optometrists.

 
The Katikati practice commenced in 1952 when Mr Warne, who was Katikati's chemist, approached Doug Stevenson to consider starting a service to the local residents. In those days the road to Katikati was mainly gravel and on a greatly different alignment from today. Over time the visits were increased, utilising the treatment room at the Katikati Medical centre in Beach Road. Finally a shop was leased at 50 Main Rd and the business remains present there today, open 5 days per week.

Tauranga Optometrists Today

Tauranga Optometrists is also one of the few optometry businesses in New Zealand with their own optical lens fitting laboratory. This enables us to have total control over the quality of the glasses we dispense and rapid service delivery times, unlike many of the foreign owned opticians who have their laboratory overseas.

The Tauranga Optometrists team includes vastly experienced optometrists who are leaders in their field. See our people to find out more. Our optometrists are recognised for their expertise and skill in specialty contact lens fitting, Revize Corneal Refractive Therapy, behavioural optometry and glaucoma diagnosis.

Our focus on research and international advances in eyecare saw us introduce Revize Corneal Refractive Therapy into New Zealand in 2009. Revize, which involves vision-correcting contact lenses that refocus eyes while asleep, is a less expensive, safer and less invasive alternative to laser eye surgery.