The Bay Eye Care team: Mr Aidan Quinlan, Ms Georgia Crawford and Mr Alex Petty.
Alex is a New Zealand born and trained therapeutic optometrist (an optometrist who can prescribe medications for ocular conditions), contact lens specialist and orthokeratologist. He also has interests in myopia control (limiting the progression of short-sightedness in children) and ocular disease management, including dry eye and glaucoma.
In 2016 Alex was made a fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology, one of the first optometrists in New Zealand to receive this recognition. Orthokeratology is a specialty overnight corneal reshaping treatment that allows people to see throughout the day without wearing any glasses or contact lenses. He also served on the board of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania for ~ 5 years, including several years as Vice-President, and was Oceania’s Section Fellowship Chair for the IAO during this time.
Alex is a CAA-accredited examiner for providing special vision examinations for pilots, and is approved for Class-1 vision testing of NZ Police recruits. He is also the first optometrist in the Bay of Plenty who is accredited to independently manage glaucoma.
Alex has lectured extensively in New Zealand and internationally on contact lenses and ocular disease. He also written articles on specialty contact lenses in industry magazines NZ Optics and Mivision and has published a number of articles and case reports in clinical optometry journals and education forums. He is an honorary teaching fellow of the Univeristy of Auckland's School of Optometry and Vision Science, as recognition for his assistance with education and the training of optometry students commencing 2018. Details of these can be found on Alex's Linkedin page.
Alex's Experience
Alex carried out his optometry training at the University of Auckland, graduating in 2010 with first-class honours. He spent his first 3 years of clinical practice in the Manawatu at the largest independent practice in the area, Visique Naylor Palmer. During his time there Alex started the practice's orthokeratology clinic, which is still going strong to this day. In between private consulting Alex was also involved seeing patients in the glaucoma clinic of the Palmerston North Hospital. In 2012 Alex spent four weeks on a post-graduate programme at New York's State University Optometry School, in the ocular disease and contact lens clinics.
Alex's next step was a shift across the Tasman to join specialty contact lens practice Innovative Eye Care, in Adelaide, Australia. It was here that Alex refined his knowledge and passion for specialty contact lenses and ocular disease management. In Adelaide Alex was involved with starting South Australia's first myopia control clinic and he was one of the first clinicians in the state to use cutting edge IPL treatment for dry eye.
However the pull back to New Zealand was strong, so after two rewarding years in Adelaide Alex returned home permanently with his fiancé in early 2016. Alex and Rachel settled in Tauranga shortly afterwards, enticed by the friendly people, world-class beaches and relaxed lifestyle, and set up the Bay Eye Care clinic in Promed House in 2017: A unique practice incorporating the specialty aspects of cutting-edge optometry with personalised advice and caring service. In 2024 Bay Eye Care expanded to it’s larger purpose built clinic at 60 Eighth Avenue.
Alex's Motivation
Alex measuring colour vision in a young patient.
One of the reasons that Alex is so passionate about specialty optometry, in particular myopia control and orthokeratology, is that as a child he himself developed progressive myopia (short-sightedness). At the time nothing could be done except prescribe stronger and stronger glasses. Due to his high level of myopia Alex has already suffered from three retinal detachments. Fortunately these blinding ocular emergencies were operated on urgently, saving his central vision. If Alex had access to the myopia control strategies currently used at Bay Eye Care it is likely his retinal problems would never have developed. Unsurprisingly, Alex is highly motivated to decrease myopia progression in his younger patients, to improve their lives and reduce the risk of serious eye disease as they get older.
Outside the Practice
When Alex is not busy examining eyes you can find him enjoying the Bay of Plenty's stunning beaches with his family, searching for his ball on the golf course and enjoying the other outdoor pursuits that our beautiful country has to offer.
“Alex is a super star: He has a depth of knowledge on specialty contact lenses and orthokeratology that normally takes decades to accumulate... get along and enjoy his care. ”
Aidan is a New Zealand born and trained therapeutic optometrist. He is one of the two eye care professionals here at Bay Eye Care, joining the practice in 2023.
Aidan is a therapeutic optometrist, meaning he can prescribe medications for ocular conditions. He has a keen interest in myopia control, specialty contact lens fitting and management of dry eye conditions using technology such as IPL.
Aidan's Experience
Aidan carried out his training at the University of Auckland, graduating in 2022. In his final year of study Aidan spent time assisting principal optometrist Mr Alex Petty in the Bay Eye Care clinic. In this time a fascination and appreciation for patient-focused specialty optometry was born. Aidan has already developed an impressive level of advanced optometric skills that he employs daily; including custom scleral contact lens fitting for keratoconus, orthokeratology lens design, and complex ocular surface disease management, and has quickly built a loyal patient base here in the Bay of Plenty.
Aidan’s Motivation
Aidan’s interest in optometry began as a child. He struggled with myopia (short-sightedness) while in the classroom at school and at home watching TV. It led to numerous optometrist appointments, and resulted in him wearing contact lenses for much of his teenage years. During this time the idea of a rewarding and patient focused career started and highlighted how life-changing a personalized contact lens correction can be for people.
Outside of the Practice:
When not in the practice, Aidan loves exploring New Zealand with his family, including his new border-collie puppy Scout. He enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, running, surfing and the ever-present pursuit of finding his perfect swing at Mount Maunganui Golf Club.
Georgia is our Office Manager/Receptionist at Bay Eye Care. She was born and raised in Whanganui eventually making the move to Hamilton to further her education. She completed a Bachelor of Education degree at University of Waikato and moved overseas to teach. When returning home, Georgia pursued a career in management which led her to Bay Eye Care. After making the move to optometry she never looked back!
Georgia has over 5 years’ experience with administration and management in the medical industry. She enjoys working alongside the professional team at Bay Eye Care and is focused on providing the best possible experience for our patients. Georgia will be your point of contact for any general enquiries, contact lens orders, solution or eye drops requirements, and is involved in carrying out preliminary clinical testing with patients before they see the optometrist.
Outside of the practice you will find Georgia on the netball court, at the beach or climbing Mount Maunganui. She often travels home to Whanganui to spend time with her family and friends.
