Assoc. Prof. Philip Polkinghorne, MD, FRANZCO, FRCOphth

Vitreoretinal Surgery
Cataract Surgery
Medical Retinal Subspecialist

Retinal Fellow Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, 1987 -1990

Appointments available: Remuera, Papatoetoe, Whangarei
(Prime Care Medical Centre and Eye Specialists Ltd)

About Philip’s career
 
Philip specialises in retinal, vitreo-retinal and cataract surgery. He has subspecialty
training in both medical and surgical retina and is active in clinical and basic science research.
 
Outside of Auckland Eye, Philip has plenty on his plate. He is an Associate Professor in the
Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Auckland and has teaching responsibilities
for both undergraduate and post graduate students. He is also visiting lecturer at the University
of Otago, preparing ophthalmic registrars from Australia and New Zealand for their final fellowship
examination. Philip is also heavily involved in the public sector and strongly believes that all
New Zealanders should have the right to expert care and treatment. He recognises the
difficulties of working in the public sector but maintains that “it is better to contribute than opt out”.
 
Philip belongs to a number of learned societies including the Oxford Congress, Moorfields
Alumni, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retinal Specialists and the
prestigious Club Jules Gonin. Locally Philip is active in the Asian Vitreoretinal Advisor Group, the
Oceania Retinal Association and the Australian and New Zealand Retinal Specialists Association.
He has published over 50 papers, edits ophthalmology journals and contributes as a reviewer to
a number of international journals.
 
About Philip
 
When not dreaming of ophthalmology, Philip thinks about fishing and diving, although not at the
same time. He adores his family; tolerates his daughter’s drums, ignores his elder son’s
acoustic guitar, and turns a blind eye to his younger son’s predilection for attractive lady friends.
No doubt this good behavior has been refined if not shaped by his wife and long time partner.