News
Awards, innovations and other news.
2009
President Cornea and Contact Lens Society of New Zealand (CCLS) Dr McKellar was recently elected President of the CCLS, a society of approximatley 560 members and a 50 year history of promoting excellence in contact lens and corneal practice.
2008
National Health Innovation Award
The innovative way Dr McKellar manages West Coast patients requiring cataract surgery was recognised at the 2008 National Health Innovation Award ceremony. Dr McKellar, together with local optometrists general practitioners and the DHB have designed a new system that dramatically reduces the waiting times for cataract surgery and frees up outpatient clinic space for patients with non-cataract eye disorders.
Allogeneic serum eye drops
In conjunction with Dr Krishna Badami of the New Zeakland Transfusion Service, Dr McKellar has developed a new way to treta patients with dry eye. Serum (the straw coloured component of blood) has been used for some time to treat a variety of eye diseases. Until now patients could only benefit if there were willing and able to donate blood. The new system which allows patients to be treated with serum donated by others is benefiting Christchurch patients, a world first.
Honorary Paul Harris Fellowship
Dr McKellar was awarded an honorary Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary, a rare honour for a non-Rotarian. The award was made to recognise Dr McKellars work helping Fijian patients in Fiji and New Zealand.