Dr Philip Turnbull is a New Zealand Board-registered optometrist and a Senior Lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland. He serves as an Advisor and Researcher for the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board and provides expert witness testimony in criminal proceedings. Additionally, he acts as an optometric advisor to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other agencies, contributing to the development of vision standards and safety protocols.

At the University of Auckland, Dr Turnbull teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in optometry, with a focus on clinical decision-making, visual optics, and professional practice. He developed the innovative "Virtual Patient" teaching tool, which allows optometry students to practice their laboratory skills outside the preclinical lab. This tool earned him a Butland Award for innovation in teaching and has since been integrated into multiple courses, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.

In 2010, alongside Dr John Phillips, Dr Turnbull co-founded the Myopia Control Clinic as part of the Auckland Myopia Lab, where he served as the inaugural Director. This translational research clinic was instrumental in promoting research-backed myopia preventative treatments, influencing practices both nationally and internationally. These methods are now tightly integrated into the undergraduate curriculum and widely adopted in the optometric community.

Dr Turnbull's current research focuses on leveraging the latest technology to advance vision research and clinical practice. His work primarily involves technology like virtual reality, eye tracking, artificial intelligence, and advanced data science techniques for complex data. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across engineering, computer science, and health sciences, aiming to develop tools that improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. He is also involved with policy development, and has developed several national Board standards and guidelines. 

He is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences and has published in peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from myopia control to digital health innovation. Dr Turnbull is passionate about mentoring emerging researchers and clinicians, and he actively contributes to curriculum development, professional standards, and public health initiatives in eye care.