Dr Peter Ring
MBChB, FRCS, FRCOphth., FRANZCO., DO (Lond.)
When you look at Dr Peter Ring's expertise and credentials, you can see why he is one of New Zealand's most renowned and experienced eye specialists. A pioneer in laser refractive and cataract surgery, Dr Peter Ring remains at the forefront having performed thousands of procedures.
As an eye surgeon and director for the Eye Institute, Dr Peter Ring works with a team of highly skilled doctors and ophthalmology staff. He provides the most advanced vision correction treatment and eye care techniques that best meet patient's goals, and aims to consistently exceed expectations and build life long relationships.
With extensive experience in refractive surgery and LASIK surgery in particular, Dr Ring corrects myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness) and astigmatism. He also offers expert care in:
- Cataract surgery
- Glaucoma
- Squint surgery
- Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) - tear duct operation for watering eyes
- Problems of the eyelids - cancers, ptosis (drooping of the upper lid), ectropion and entropion (poor lid position)
- Pterygium removal
Dr Ring gained his medical degree at Otago University and went on to become a House Surgeon at Auckland Hospital. His post-graduate training in ophthalmology was carried out in London, where he worked as a Registrar at a number of prestigious institutions. These included Guys Hospital, St Thomas Hospital and finally Moorfields Eye Hospital, the training school for many of New Zealand's top ophthalmologists and where Dr Ring had the fortune of training with Mr Richard Collin, a leading oculoplastic surgeon.
Patient care
A patient centered approach to eye care, which is a combination of expert skill, professionalism and integrity, is fundamental to Dr Ring. He takes the time to treat each patient as an individual and carefully assess and explain the surgical and treatment options available. He also treats a diverse range of patients, from infants through to the elderly.
Refractive Expertise
Dr Ring has extensive experience in performing the most popular form of laser vision correction performed in New Zealand. His achievements include:
- Along with other Eye Institute directors, purchasing the first laser in New Zealand capable of wavefront guided custom LASIK surgery - the Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217Z laser
- Performing the first radial keratotomy refractive procedure in New Zealand (this technique involved making radial cuts into the cornea to change its shape) in 1998
- In 1992 along with the original Eye Institute directors purchasing the first Excimer laser in New Zealand to perform several thousand PRK procedures
Cataract Expertise
Dr Ring is an expert in cataract surgery, which is one of New Zealand's most commonly and successfully performed surgical procedures. His accomplishments include:
Inserting the first posterior chamber intraocular lens in this country in 1979
Gaining early experience at the Moorfields Hospital in London in the 1970s which was applied in his work upon returning to New Zealand
Family and social interests:
A passion for eye care runs in the family. Dr Ring's father Dr Calvin Ring was a leading Ophthalmologist and pioneer of intraocular lens cataract surgery in New Zealand.
Dr Ring met his wife Alison as a ward sister at Moorfields Eye Hospital. They have two children, Charlotte (a visual arts student) and David (a commerce and arts student). As a close-knit family they enjoy travelling together.
Dr Ring has a passion for sport from rugby and golf to formula one racing. He has also clocked up more than 100 hours flying with a PPL licence. He holds the sports distinction of an Otago University Blue and New Zealand University Blue in Fencing.
Examining Board and Educational Courses
Dr Ring has been a member of the Fellowship of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO) Examining Board since 1994. The FRANZCO exam is the final paper undertaken by doctors to become a qualified ophthalmologist and member of the College in Australia and New Zealand.
Furthermore, over the past 25 years, Dr Ring has contributed to numerous educational courses for nurses, orthoptists, general practitioners, medical students and trainee ophthalmologists.
Lectures and presentations
From Singapore to Switzerland, Dr Ring has presented over 16 papers at prestigious international events such as the Asian Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmological Society of the United Kingdom Annual Congress, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and the Ophthalmological Society, and the Ophthalmology Society of New Zealand
Professional Societies
- Member New Zealand Society of the Prevention of Blindness.
- Member since 1979 of the Ophthalmological Society of New Zealand (branch of Royal Australian and
- New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists).
- Council Member of the Asian Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
- Member of the International Society of Refractive Surgeons
- Member New Zealand Society of Contact Lens Practitioners.
- Foundation Member of the Asian Pacific Intraocular Implant Association
- Member of the American Society of Intraocular Lens and Refractive Surgeons
- Member of the European Society of Ocular and Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons.
- Research and Publishing in Peer-reviewed Journals:
While working at St Thomas, Dr Peter Ring carried out research work in blood viscosity and retinal vein occlusion. He is also the author and contributor to 15 publications in peer-reviewed journals
