About Southern Eye Specialists Laser
Our Refractive Surgeons
Dr John Rawstron
MB ChB, MPH, GDipM (Refract Surg), FRANZCO
Dr Rawstron brings international surgery qualifications and experience to the refractive team. In addition to LASIK, SMILE pro, PRK and lens surgery procedures, he specialises in corneal transplants and cataract surgery as part of Southern Eye Specialist’s broader ophthalmology services.
Dr Elizabeth Conner
MBChB, BMedSci, FRANZCO
Liz Conner is an experienced cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon who joined Southern Eye Specialists Laser in 2022 after completing a fellowship in Pittsburgh. She specialises in a comprehensive range of laser correction procedures, including LASIK, SMILE pro, and PRK. Liz also offers cataract surgery with premium refractive lens options, treatments for keratoconus, and is fellowship trained in paediatric eye problems.
Our Laser Team
Clinical Team Leader
Laser Team Leader
Registered Nurse
Optometrist
Registered Nurse
Operations Manager
Clinical Team Leader
Medical Secretary
Medical Secretary
Our Supporting Specialists
Disease and surgery of the retina, vitreous and macula, specialist cataract surgeon
Glaucoma, oculoplastics, cataract surgeon
Cataract, oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon
Vitroretinal surgery, diseases of the retina and macula, refractive cataract surgery
Disease and surgery of the retina and macula, cataract
Disease and surgery of the retina and macula, cataract
Oculoplastics, cataract, neuro-ophthalmology, strabismus
Glaucoma and cataract specialist
Oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon
Our story
Established in 1992 by two visionary Christchurch ophthalmologists, Southern Eye Specialists now provide unparalleled knowledge and expertise across all eye conditions.
Within our purpose-built facility in the central city we undertake a wide variety of eye treatments and surgical procedures, providing laser eye surgery expertise as part of our wider delivery of expert eyecare.
With innovative processes and advanced modern technology we ensure patients receive the very best insight, treatment, and care in their eye laser surgery treatment.
A key strength of our service is the experience of our team. Our doctors have worked in the public sector in clinics and hospitals throughout the world. It’s their wealth of experience that makes such a difference in the standard of care we can provide with laser eye surgery.
These laser eye specialists are supported by a highly skilled nursing group, backed by a dedicated administrative team, and bolstered by the tight-knit specialist expertise from the wider group of Southern Eye ophthalmologists.
This is how we can ensure the analysis and treatment are ideally suited for the unique individual needs of each patient. This is why we will continue to lead the way with the best results for these patients.
Your care
We know that needing vision correction, whether it’s glasses or contact lenses, has an impact on how we live our lives. Each day we are privileged to witness the life-changing results as our patients approach the world with clear, unimpeded vision.
The first step toward laser vision correction
Every eye is unique. Therefore, the procedure used to correct your vision is also unique.
At your free assessment we’ll discuss your eye health and the specific refractive error (the degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) you’d like to have corrected. From there we can establish your laser procedure options, provide exact pricing information and explain what to expect during your laser procedure.
Your free laser assessment can be conducted by our team on Zoom or at our central Christchurch clinic, located at 128 Kilmore St.
If laser eye surgery is suitable for you, we’ll book you in for treatment.
Travelling to Christchurch for your procedure?
We’re pleased to offer one night’s free accommodation at Quest Hotel* to those travelling for a laser procedure.
Just two minutes’ walk from our Kilmore St clinic, Quest is the perfect place to stay after your treatment. The following day you’ll meet your surgeon again to go through post-operative checks.
*Subject to terms and conditions
