As a specialist in cataract surgery, I often get asked by patients how many cataract surgeries I’ve performed throughout my career. In fact, my team and I have successfully performed thousands, making my practice one of the busiest and experienced cataract surgery specialists in New Zealand.
My team of highly skilled, compassionate and professional staff are committed to providing you with the highest quality care, in a peer-supported environment with advanced technology, the latest ideas and techniques in cataract care. We want to help transform your lifestyle by fundamentally transforming the way you see the world.
As each cataract patient is unique, I believe in providing a totally personalised approach and always doing the best I can for all patients. Each procedure, of which there are many possibilities, is customised to fit your individual needs. See my patient care mission statement here.
I believe that every individual is unique and so are their eye care needs, especially when it comes to a procedure as delicate as cataract surgery. The field of cataract surgery has changed dramatically over the past years and is still rapidly expanding. I strive to be at the forefront of these advances only so you get the very best in restored vision. Needless to say, my pride rests in your complete satisfaction.
My personal guarantees to you are:
- I use the latest in cataract surgery technology available internationally.
- My team and I will go through an extensive consultation with you before
I even consider cataract surgery.
- Where options such as intraocular vision correction lenses are available,
all alternatives, pros and cons will be weighed up and explained in detail.
- There are no obligations at all and I will not recommend cataract surgery
if it is not needed.
- Each procedure – from the choice of lens replacements to the surgery itself
– is customised to suit your needs and your needs only.
- I take pride in my work and perform all surgeries myself.
- My team and I will always be available to address your pre-surgical concerns
and questions and post-surgical follow-up care.
- My passion in my work is in one thing only – to give you back your vision the
way you were meant to have it.
Contact Dr Mantell at mantellgroup@eyeinstitute.co.nz
My patients receive not only the benefits of the latest surgical techniques, but my personal attention and support, before and after the operation. As a result, they experience a cataract procedure that is painless and stress-free.
I have a relationship with Southern Cross as an official recognised affiliated provider for cataract surgery so my patients have hassle free claims and we can organise prior approval for their surgery. I am also a recognised provider for all major insurance companies.
Because I believe that patients should always make an informed decision based on the options available for treatment, we should start with some essential facts:
What are cataracts?
(click to read more)
A cataract is a cloudiness of the eye’s normally transparent lens inside the eye. Just like a camera, this lens, located near the front of the eye, helps us to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye to produce a sharp image. When the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, light is unable to pass through it and vision becomes blurred. This condition is known as a cataract.
As we age, the lens’ normal protein structure deteriorates and leaves it increasingly opaque. Because light has to pass through this lens to produce sharp images, we develop cataracts that gradually and progressively blur vision. Cataracts can occur as early as age 40, but can also be caused by other environmental and congenital factors.
There are many misconceptions about cataracts. For instance, a cataract is not a film visible on the outside of the eye. It is not caused from the over-use of the eyes, and using your eyes does not make it worse. Still, cataracts are commonplace and are the leading cause of blindness in the world.
Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): Seeing Clearly Without Glasses after Surgery
Refractive-cataract surgery also gives my patients the opportunity to become less dependent on glasses. The cataract is replaced by an implantable lens (IOLs) at the time of surgery. We are able to correct short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism of the eye.
We spend the time needed to review what typical activities are most important to you, so we can best determine whether being independent of glasses for those activities is something that you would like and that we can achieve.
I offer four different strategies to help patients’ reduce their dependence on glasses based on their needs, which are:
1. Distance dominant blended vision (Monofocal or toric IOLs)
(click to read more)
Patients who choose distance dominant blended vision gain excellent quality distance and intermediate vision. They are only dependent on glasses for near activities like reading.
This is a good option if you:
- you don’t mind wearing glasses for near tasks
- you want that best quality distance vision in all conditions
- you want to eliminate ghosting, halos or glare in your vision
- you are not suitable for blended vision (see below) after a contact lens trial
Email mantellgroup@eyeinstitute.co.nz for more information on which IOL is best for you, or to schedule an appointment.
2. Blended vision (Monofocal or toric IOLs)
(click to read more)
Blended vision is the most common surgical approach to spectacle independence for both distance and near. It involves one eye being focused clearly in the distance and the other intentionally made short-sighted for near vision such as reading.
This is a good option if you:
- have successfully practiced monovision with contact lenses
- have higher amounts of astigmatism and this is being corrected with toric IOLs
- do not mind using glasses from time to time to achieve full distance or near vision (for both eyes)
Email mantellgroup@eyeinstitute.co.nz for more information on which IOL is best for you, or to schedule an appointment.
3. Diffractive multifocal IOLs
(click to read more)
Unlike monofocal/toric IOLs, diffractive multifocal IOLs are designed to allow the eye to see both near and far distances in both eyes without the use of glasses. This is via the ingenious use of concentric rings called diffraction gratings, which have properties of bending light rays to two points simultaneously. This allows two focal points to be formed at once, one for distance and another for near vision, allowing true binocular vision for distance and near.
This is a good option if you:
- want true binocular vision for both near and distance vision of blended vision
- do not mind some halos around images at night and slightly decreased contrast sensitivity
- want freedom from glasses
Email mantellgroup@eyeinstitute.co.nz for more information on which IOL is best for you, or to schedule an appointment.
4. Accommodation IOL
(click to read more)
These lenses recreate the natural refocusing of the human lens and provide excellent distance and intermediate vision. The near vision is usually also very good, however some patients may still require glasses to read very small print.
Email mantellgroup@eyeinstitute.co.nz for more information on which IOL is best for you, or to schedule an appointment.
Where can you see me?
Passionate about bringing world-class ophthalmologic care to local communities, I work from Eye Institute's head office in Remuera. I also can see patients at local clinics in North Shore, Manukau and Pukekohe. These local clinics are fully equipped, provide complete eye care and enable my patients who may live far away from the central city to easily travel in for every appointment.
Remuera Clinic
(click to view services and location map)
All services including:
- Comprehensive eye assessment.
- Cataract surgery.
- Vitreoretinal surgery.
- Glaucoma assessment and treatment.
Click to
view map of the Remuera clinic
North Shore Clinic
(click to view services and location map)
- Comprehensive eye assessment.
- Cataract surgery.
- All preparations for vitreoretinal surgery; with just one
visit required to the Remuera clinic for surgery.
- Glaucoma assessment and treatment.
Click to
view map of the North Shore clinic
Pukekohe Clinic
(click to view services and location map)
- Comprehensive eye assessment in partnership with Franklin Optometrists.
- All preparations for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery;
with just one visit required to the Remuera clinic
for surgery.
- Glaucoma assessment and treatment.
Click to
view map of the Pukekohe clinic
How do our fees work?
 I am a recognised provider for all major insurance companies. I am also an affiliated provider for cataract surgery with Southern Cross. If you are a member of Southern Cross, this takes the worry out of payments with prior approval on the costs associated with surgery. Our administration team deals directly with the Southern Cross to simplify the claim process and minimise the need for you to fill in forms and wait for reimbursement.
Our fee policy is also flexible, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We can arrange payment plans through Eye Institute’s finance partners.
Dr Mantell's career achievements
- Performed thousands of cataract operations, making him one of the most active cataract surgeons in New Zealand.
- Carried out cataract contracts for the Auckland District Health Board and the Counties-Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) to perform hundreds of cataract operations each year.
- Worked as a visiting eye care consultant to the Manukau SuperClinic™ (CMDHB), New Zealand's leading specialist out-patient facility.
- Established, in conjunction with Eye Institute colleagues, new clinics on the North Shore and in South Auckland.
- Involved in the ongoing teaching of optometrists.
- Pioneered same-day vitreoretinal surgery at Eye Institute with colleagues.
- Helped establish a cataract clinic in Fiji.
- Worked as an Ophthalmology Surgeon at Greenlane Hospital for three years.
- Has been a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology at University of Auckland Medical School.
- Trained House Surgeons, Registrars and Fellows at Green Lane Hospital.
- Refractive Diploma, Sydney University.
Overseas fellowship and other associations
(click to read more)
- Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship, Royal Manchester Eye Hospital, Manchester 2002
- Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne 2001
- Cataract and Primary Care Fellowship, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London 2000
Professional organisations I belong to
(click to read more)
- The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
- The Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (AUSCRS)
- Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO)
- New Zealand Medical Council
What my cataract patients say
Kevin Skinner
Former All Black, Grocer
Age: 80
Location: Auckland
Surgery done: Cataracts
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Gillian Wrightson
Businesswoman and founder of
Juice TV
Age: 63
Location: Parnell, Auckland
Surgery done: Cataracts
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Lynley Quedley
Technical support executive and
volunteer sports statistician
Age: 30
Location: Takapuna, North Shore City
Surgery done: Cataracts
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“As a former All Black my eyesight
had never stopped me in my rugby-playing
days, but later on I lived with
cataracts for so long that I didn’t
realise the impact they had on
my quality of life. Thanks to the
expertise of Dr Mantell (a fellow
rugby forward) every morning, when
I look out my window as I get my
breakfast, I can’t get over
how vivid all the colours are.
My eyesight is back!”
“I had cataracts, but I didn’t
do anything about them – I
imagined a long, painful procedure.
When I finally had the operation,
I realised that the opposite was
true: cataract surgery these days
is quick, easy and painless under
the care and attention of Dr Mantell
and his expert team. And it was
all worth it - so I could get back
to enjoying my family, travelling
and working on my recipe and food
blog
http://sososimple.blogspot.com.
In order that my grandchildren
could learn about it, I wrote short
story for them titled ‘Lucky
Grandma has had her eye fixed so
she can keep her beady eye on Sophia
Mia and Joseph’!”
“Cataracts are not like
a cold where you get visible symptoms
and also they can in some cases
strike younger people like me at
28. I didn't know I had cataracts
until I actually started not seeing
things. If you don't have the visual
clarity to read even a simple text
message on your mobile, there could
be something wrong with your eyes.
I'm glad I sought help from a qualified
ophthalmologist like Dr Mantell
before my vision went down the
drain.”
My Team
 I work as part of a close-knit team who are knowledgeable, caring and here to help.
My ophthalmic technicians assist me in the clinics, performing all the ophthalmologic tests necessary for the preliminary and highly specific eye assessments, and in theatre. They provide a sense of continuity in your care and are as passionate about their work as I am.
Karen Gardner
Karen Gardner works in all the clinics and has 10 years of ophthalmology experience. She holds a diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. Karen served with the British Army completing her Nursing Training with the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. During this time she served in Germany and the Falkland Islands.
Jennifer Kinsella
Originally from the UK, Jennifer Kinsella graduated from the University of Sheffield with an honours degree in medical science, specialising in Orthotics. Jennifer has ten years experience as an Ophthalmic Technician and extensive experience in refractive cataract and refractive laser surgery having previously worked for Eye Surgeon Dr Bruce Hadden.
Jane Chabert
Jane Chabert is based in the North Shore clinic and has been technically trained by Dr Mantell and Karen. She has worked with the team for two years.
Jane Sweeney, Eve Berry and Tina Fitness
My receptionists are Janet Sweeney for the Remuera and the South Auckland clinics, Eve Berry for the North Shore clinic and Tina Fitness for the Remuera clinic. All have a fantastic warm and friendly approach to assist patients with all of their needs throughout the course of their treatment.
As a youngster I knew I wanted to be a surgeon and follow in the medical footsteps of my father. The delicate nature of eye surgery and its extensive use of the latest technology appealed to my nature. Early on I recognised just how rapidly this field was developing and wanted to be a part of it! Some of the biggest advances for patients have been in cataract surgery and being at the forefront of this continues to be tremendously rewarding.
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