Bridgman Eyecare

The practice was established in 1907, when W Von Sturmer arrived from the Waikato. He spent the next two years as "The Traveling Optician" before renting premises at Number 2, The Octagon, Dunedin. The 1930's were a time of rapid growth in both the profession, which was officially renamed Optometry in 1934, and in Dunedin's population. The Bridgman... connection was established in 1935 when Raymond Bridgman gained his qualification in Optometry, at that stage a correspondence course. Ray's examination books and records from that era show that even then he was using an ophthalmoscope to examine the interior of the eye. At that stage there was some resistance from the medical fraternity to allowing optometrists the responsibility of detecting eye disease, but the two professions now see eye to eye. In fact, Optometry's scope of practice has significantly expanded in the last three years so that optometrists are now expected to be able to not only detect but diagnose and (where appropriate) treat eye diseases, much like physicians. We refer to eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) for second opinions, or for treatment which we are not able to provide ourselves such as cataract surgery or treatment of specific acute or long term diseases. The practice remained at the same address for 70 years, before moving into 133 George Street in 1977 and then 278 George St (opposite the Meridian Centre) in 2000. We now have a link with the Eyepro group which enables us to provide both better pricing, and AA rewards points. 2006 saw the installation of the latest lens manufacturing technology from Optical Dynamics Corporation of the USA. This allows us to manufacture premium, high index clear and photochromic lenses right here in Dunedin! Please consider supporting local manufacturing by choosing Bridgman & Dean for your optometrist - other local practices source all of their lenses from out of Otago. 2006 was also the year that our practice first provided prescriptions for eye drops via the new "Scope of Practice" for Optometry - ...Read More