An eye problem, which has hampered Ross Taylor in the past, was behind him not coming out to bat in the second innings.

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson believes a recurring eye problem is to blame for Ross Taylor's slump in form.

After scoring 11 runs in the first innings, Taylor didn't bat at No 4 in the Black Caps' second innings as they beat Pakistan by eight-wickets in the first test at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Sunday.

Hesson confirmed Taylor would see a specialist on Monday, before deciding if he would play in the second and final test, starting in Hamilton on Friday.

GETTY IMAGES Ross Taylor, who is in doubt for the second cricket test against Pakistan.

"Ross had a further eye test on the first day of the game and it certainly showed that he needs to see a specialist," Hesson said.

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Taylor was out of sorts in the recent test series losses in India (3-0) and South Africa (1-0), and the former New Zealand captain hasn't scored more than 44 runs in any of his past 15 (10 test and five ODI) innings.

REUTERS Martin Guptill was dropped for the first test, but comes back into the conversation if Ross Taylor's eyes don't come right.

Hesson believes the recurring problem to Taylor's left eye has contributed to his lack of form, which has also included the usually sure-handed slipper puting down some regulation chances.

"I think in the last few months it appears to have deteriorated a little bit," Hesson said.

"I think we all need to have regular eye checks. Ross has, but I think six months ago there was no issues. I think it may have come on a little bit quicker than we'd like, but I'm not an optometrist, that's for the specialists to decide."

When captain Kane Williamson was dismissed in New Zealand's second innings with just one run required to win the opening test, Henry Nicholls batted in Taylor's No 4 spot.

The Kiwi skipper also confirmed Ross was "having a little bit of trouble with his eyes", but said he was taking the necessary steps to get it sorted.

"There's a growth that's come across a little bit," he said. "It's been monitored for a long-time, it's a gradual thing as opposed to something that's very sudden."

It's not the first time Taylor has had eye trouble.

After scoring a duck and 26 in the first test against Australia in Brisbane last year, Taylor admitted he "couldn't really see the ball".

However, after taking eye drops to treat a pterygium - a small benign growth, often called "surfer's eye", he bounced back to blast a career best 290 against Australia in Perth last November.

If Taylor is ruled out of the second test match, New Zealand could opt to bring back recently dropped opener Martin Guptill into the squad.

Guptill has struck consecutive tons for Auckland in the Plunket Shield and, if recalled, Guptill could bat at No 5, pushing Nicholls to No 4.