The Terrace Optometrist

What we do

The Terrace Optometrist is a primary vision and eye health care provider.  Our core business is providing professional optometry eye tests with our knowledgeable and experienced optometrists.  We are a family practice working with children, elderly and everyone in between and offer a full scope of optometric care, including contact lenses, dry eye care, myopia control in children, ocular therapeutics and much more.  Should specialist or tertiary care be required we will arrange either public hospital or private referral as needed.

In addition, we supply optical appliances such as spectacle lenses and frames, sunglasses, safety glasses, soft contact lenses, RGP contact lenses, optical accessories and eye drops.  If you have a frame in good condition we are happy send the frame away to have new lenses fitted (this typically takes about two weeks).  We also welcome outside prescriptions and can make glasses for you even if your eye test was done elsewhere.

Our caring and well trained support staff are able to adjust or repair glasses, however more complex repairs such as frame welding or spring hinge replacments may need to be sent to our lab in Christchurch.

How we do what we do

Our most valuable resource is time, which is why every initial consultation is scheduled for an hour with the optometrist.  This time allows the optometrist to really understand and address your concerns.  Each eye test is tailored by the optometrist according to your individual needs.  A suite of diagnostic equipment is available as needed, including OCT scans, retinal photography, corneal topography, axial length measurement and automated perimetry, amongst others, to ensure excellent standards of diagnostic and clinical care.  Similarly, any recommendations or management plans are discussed and tailored to your own needs, preferences and budget.  We never have sales targets, we give professional advice you can trust.

Why we do what we do

We genuinely care about providing excellent eye care to the people of South Canterbury.  We are part of your community and are committed to building a sustainable practice now and long into the future.  We are always striving for improvement and innovation and welcome constructive feedback.  Please contact us to let us know what we are doing well, and where we can aim to improve further.

About Us

The building at 21 The Terrace was architecturally designed and built in the 1970's by husband and wife optometrists Mr and Mrs Woodward.  The downstairs level housed a purpose built space for their optometry practice and they lived in the private residence upstairs.

Since that time the building and optometry practice has been in various ownership with modern renovations undertaken throughout the years.

Optometrist Meredith Flack relocated from Wellington to join The Terrace Optometrist in July 2012.   Timaru very quickly became home, and in 2013 Meredith took a leap of faith becoming a 50% owner of the practice.  She was joined by practice manager (and husband) Philip in 2014, and together they have taken full ownership of the business since 2019.

Their shared vision for The Terrace Optometrist has been to create a truly independent family practice that is welcoming to all.  They take immense pride in serving the community in which they have chosen to live and raise their family.

In 2017 optical receptionist Suzanne joined the team to provide much needed support following the birth of Meredith and Philip's daughter.  Suzanne learned the role quickly and soon made herself indispensable, making Meredith and Philip wonder how they had ever done without her.  Also around this time, locum optometrist Paul West agreed to provide additional optometry support to allow Meredith more time at home with her beautiful daughter and subsequently her son.  Paul's energy, unique perspective and genuine caring for his patients has been invaluable and we are grateful that Paul continues to share his expertise with the people of Timaru.

The last decade has seen steady growth of the practice, which is a reflection of the culture of genuine caring and patient-centric approach which is at the heart of everything we do.  With this growth, additional help was needed and so 2022 saw optical receptionist Selena join The Terrace Optometrist.  Selena's warmth and kindness shines in all that she does and, like Suzanne, she is learning the role quickly and has become an essential member of the team.

Hours & appointments

Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Outside hours appointments available on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday morning and afternoons. Please enquire

Closed on Sundays and public holidays

We are located at 21c The Terrace, Timaru 7910