WENDY HILL

An interest in eyecare was formed at an early age for Mortimer Hirst optometrist Wendy Hill, who began wearing glasses at 9 years old. Wendy’s interest was further piqued several years later when her younger sister was diagnosed with a rare and sight-threatening eye condition. A timely diagnosis and appropriate referral to an eye surgeon saved her vision. 

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Wendy was fitted with her first pair of contact lenses at the age of 14 and says it was a life-changing event. She still gets immense satisfaction watching the transformation contact lenses can bring to peoples’ lives.

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Graduating with a Bachelor of Optometry from the Rand Afrikaans University (now the University of Johannesburg) in South Africa in 1997, Wendy moved with her family to New Zealand the following year and she has called Auckland home ever since. In 1999 Wendy passed the OCANZ exams, enabling her to practise in New Zealand.  

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In 2009 Wendy completed a two year course in Ocular Therapeutics at the University of Auckland, graduating one year later with a Post Graduate Diploma in Science, under the supervision of Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer.

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With a special interest in glaucoma, Wendy has worked alongside Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer since 2004. Wendy is a Board-Certified Glaucoma Prescriber, which allows her to manage and treat the condition also. Other areas of special interest for Wendy include myopia control and the management of dry eye. 

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Wendy has been a Director on the Board of the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) since 2016. She is a member on the Professional Conduct Committee of the NZ Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board. An external examiner for the final year clinical examinations at the department of Optometry and Visual Sciences at the University of Auckland, Wendy is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for her profession with students. 

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According to Wendy, joining the highly-experienced clinical team at Mortimer Hirst provides an ideal environment for her to expand her knowledge and continue to evolve as a clinician.