About us
Helping you see clearly
Our mission is to give all Southlanders the gift of clear vision. We know what a difference seeing well makes to our lives and we want our patients to share the same experience. Ensuring eyecare is accessible is part of our promise. That’s why we never leave patients waiting weeks for an appointment. We also strive to offer affordable product and service options.
Passion and expertise
Our optometrists are some of the best in the business. Most have undertaken additional training in specific treatments to allow our practice to offer comprehensive care for almost every eye condition. We also provide teaching services to Auckland University to help train the next generation of optometrists.
Technology leaders
Using some of the latest technologies and most up to date equipment in the region enhances our optometrists’ ability to accurately diagnose a vast range of eye conditions. Getting an accurate diagnosis means we can provide the very best care for each patient’s needs.
Our history
The practice was established in 1987 by Richard Lobb and Claire Martin, under the name Martin and Lobb Eyecare. After getting glasses in his teens, Richard had experienced the difference optometry and eyecare had made to his everyday life and sought to give the same gift of clear sight to others.
Today Richard Lobb continues to lead the practice, and with a team of seven optometrists we are now the largest and most comprehensive optometry service provider in Southland. In 2022 the practice was re-branded as Lobb Optical.
Our Values
We listen, care and respect our patients
Our Values
We strive to provide the best eye care solutions for our patients, with up-to-date technology
Our Values
We are part of the Southland community
Our Values
We are a kind, happy and friendly practice
Meet the team
Richard Lobb
- Director/Optometrist
Richard grew up in Invercargill. A teenage interest in physics and biology, coinciding with the need for glasses around that time, stimulated his interest in optometry as a career. He completed his training at the University of Auckland in 1982 and returned in 2003 for further studies in Ocular Therapeutics. Richard is an honorary teaching fellow affiliated with the School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of Auckland. He has served on the New Zealand Optometrists Registration Board from 2007 until 2013, working as the chairman for two years. Richard has a special interest in glaucoma management and is currently also working part time at Southland Hospital in this field.
Kelly Lyons
- Optometrist
Kelly grew up in Auckland and then moved to Central Otago on completion of her optometry degree in 2008. She gained invaluable experience over the next three years working as an optometrist in a rural practice with a diverse patient base. Next she took up a position in remote North Queensland, where she practised for two years before moving back to New Zealand. Kelly joined the team at Lobb Optical in 2014. In her free time Kelly enjoys traveling, yoga and the outdoors.
Marnie Lankow
- Optometrist
Marnie grew up in rural Southland. After completing her Bachelor of Optometry (Honours) at the University of Auckland in 2002, she returned south and commenced work at Lobb Optical in 2003. In 2008 she also completed her postgraduate training in Ocular Therapeutics. Marnie enjoys the challenge of solving the varying visual and eye health needs of her patients. Outside of work Marnie enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, getting outdoors and playing social sport.
Alice Chen
- Optometrist
Alice holds a Bachelor of Optometry with Ocular Therapeutics qualification and joined Lobb Optical in 2012. She has a special interest in contact lens fitting and orthokeratology (Ortho K) for myopia control. She trialed the Ortho K lenses herself so she can share her own experience with others. Alice has a young family. Outside of work she enjoys photography, especially capturing the southern lights. Alice is currently on parental leave.
Partnerships
Lobb Optical is a member of the New Zealand Association of Optometrists and the New Zealand Society of Contact Lens Practitioners. We also provide teaching services for the University of Auckland’s School of Optometry and Vision Science.
Do you share our passion to provide the very best eyecare?
We are seeking like-minded professionals to join our team.
Working at Lobb Optical
Our priority is the wellbeing and satisfaction of our patients and providing them the highest quality eye care. We are set apart by a deeply held clinical and patient-first focus, a loyal, long serving, professional team, a strong commitment to continuing professional development and an ongoing investment in leading edge technology.
We have also recently completed a major refurbishment of our practice, creating an inviting and functional space to work in.
Lifestyle benefits
Working five days a week means you have the weekends free to enjoy the most that Southland and the surrounding area has to offer. Queenstown, lakes and mountains, the beautiful south coast and its wildlife, stunning scenery and Great Walks in Fiordland are all within easy reach of Invercargill.
The practice benefits from an ideal proximity to central Invercargill, which has recently seen unprecedented investment in new retail and commercial development which is expected to continue over the next decade. Shopping, entertainment, restaurants and cafes are all right here. Invercargill is also known as a friendly city which is great to raise a family in.
Optometrist
You will be able to provide excellent care to our patients in our full scope practice with excellent peer support and an extensive diagnostic suite.
Become part of a team of seven optometrists who are backed up by highly experienced technical and support staff.
While not a pre-requisite, there is an opportunity for part ownership over time. Further, there are innovative ways in which we enable all involved to share in the success of the business.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Working with an experienced team of optometrists
- Wide scope of optometry practice, including glaucoma management, myopia control and management of acute presentations, across a broad demographic
- Opportunity in the future to purchase a shareholding in the company
- Professional registrations for NZAO & CCLS
- Financial contribution towards CPD hours
- Work-life balance – we do not open weekends
- Work with a professional and supportive team
- Highly established and loyal client base
- Appointment times from 40 minutes
Skills, qualifications and application process
- You must be registered with the ODOB in the optometrist scope with no conditions
- You are passionate about customer care
- You are committed to high clinical standards
- You are a team player and can build long term relationships with patients (We pride ourselves on the fact that we have up to 4 generations of families as patients)
This is a great opportunity to work for a well-established business, offering ongoing support, training and professionalism. If you have the relevant skills and are looking for a new challenge, this role will provide you with a platform to work for an inclusive and supportive independent company.
To discuss this role in strict confidence please contact Debbie Tynan (Practice Manager) on 027 211 2596 or email debbie@lobboptical.nz
Experienced Optical Technician
You will be able to provide excellent care to our patients in our full scope practice with excellent peer support and an extensive diagnostic suite.
Become part of a team of highly experienced optical technicians who support 6 optometrists and our patients. Working five days a week will give you the weekends free to enjoy the most that Southland and the surrounding area has to offer. Queenstown and the mountains, the beautiful South Coast and its wildlife, or exploring the scenery and many great walks in Fiordland – these are some of the things that could fill your weekends.
The practice benefits from an ideal proximity to central Invercargill which itself has seen the commencement of unprecedented investment in new retail and commercial development which will continue over the next decade.
Job tasks and responsibilities
This is a role with plenty of variety and involvement with people. The core tasks include
- Performing tests for patients prior to seeing the optometrist, using the most up to date technology including our Zeiss 500 ultra wide field retinal camera, HFA3 Field Analyser and Zeiss OCT
- Helping patients to select the very best spectacle frames and lenses so that they end up looking and feeling amazing
- Dispensing eye drops under optometrists direction
- Dispense, adjust and repair spectacle frames as required
- To triage eye health problems and recognising when symptoms require urgent attention
- Giving quotes and taking payments
- Assisting in stock ordering
- Maintain a good knowledge of spectacle lens and frame technology
- Assist in maintaining and presenting the retail displays
Skills and experience
The successful applicant will be highly motivated and passionate about Customer Service and bring with them
- Strong commitment to a “patient first” approach
- Experienced Dispensing skills and a good knowledge of lens types
- A Dispensing Optician qualification is desirable but not essential
- Highest level of personal presentation and a professional, caring manner in representing the practice at all times
- Ability to work in a co-operative manner with other staff to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients
- Accurate with good attention to detail
- Good computer literacy
- Ability to effectively make sales within the context of a professional services business
A detailed position description is available on request; to obtain this or any other details of the role please contact our practice manager Debbie Tynan on debbie@lobboptical.nz.