After more than a year of planning, oculoplastic surgeon Dr Paul Rosser’s new surgical business, Eyes and Eyelids, opened its doors for the first time in April at 1, St Marks Rd, Remuera.

In some ways the site location wasn’t ideal, admits Dr Rosser, but it was the only vacant space available in Remuera’s much sought after ‘medical mile’ in central Auckland.

Dr Rosser says he’s been considering setting up on his own for close to two years. Oculoplastics is a niche area that requires less technology and fewer tests, so it lends itself to a small, boutique practice environment, he says. “Also, at my career stage, it was time to control my own destiny.”

Oculoplastics will make up 80% to 90% of Dr Rosser’s work at Eyes and Eyelids, though he will continue to do some cataracts and pterygiums and consult on general ophthalmology matters. He will also be expanding his practice’s capabilities with the addition of one other ophthalmologist in the near future and perhaps another one to two in the longer term. Whatever happens, he intends the practice to retain an intimate and personal feel, he says.

It’s been hard having to do his normal job while project managing the design and build of his new premises, he says, but he’s thrilled with the result. From the specially-commissioned artwork by Belgian glass tile artist Isabelle Scheltjens, which now forms part of his new logo and hangs in pride of place in his new, sleek-looking reception, to the airy consulting rooms, well laid out technology suite and ergonomic operating theatre, everything is state-of-the-art, he says. “I’m proud of the design and the feel of the practice, and I very much hope it will be one that patients enjoy coming to.”

He says he’d particularly like to thank his new practice manager, Amanda Dickson, the rest of his new team, who are still being finalised, and his optometrist and ophthalmology colleagues who have helped support him during the set-up process, especially Dr Trevor Gray and his team at Re:Vision.