Dr B Jugadoe

13/03/2026

Another successful annual Glaucoma Awareness and Free Screening Day was held yesterday at Ribumed Day Hospital, Ballito in commemoration of World Glaucoma Week.

World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative to raise awareness on glaucoma and the importance of prevention.

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve and the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma and the risk increases with age over 40. Other risk factors include a family history, African or Asian descent, myopia, diabetes, trauma or use of steroid medications.

The main problem is usually related to elevated intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye). However, in some patients the intraocular pressure may be normal (also known as Normal Tension Glaucoma) and in these patients there are other mechanisms that lead to damage of the optic nerve.

Diagnosis is made by measurement of the intraocular pressure, optic nerve assessment both clinically and with retinal scans, and visual field testing.

Treatment is directed at lowering intraocular pressure and may include laser treatment, prescription eye drops, microinvasive glaucoma surgery or conventional surgery.

Most people with glaucoma are unaware they have the disease due to both the lack of awareness and the lack of symptoms. Therefore, the aim of World Glaucoma Week is to create awareness about the condition leading to early diagnosis in order to prevent vision loss.

02/03/2026

29/10/2025

Eyecare Leraj Lekha @

29/10/2025

In commemoration of World Sight Day 2025, free cataract surgery was performed for 5 deserving patients from the government waiting list

Our oldest patient was 93 years of age and was ecstatic to see the bright blue colour of her great grand-children’s school uniform the next morning!

Thank you to the following people who helped make this initiative a success:

Dr Leraj Lekha Anaesthetist
Niresh Bechan Hospital Manager Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital
Gordon & Demaine from Hoya for sponsoring the lenses
Natisha from Geneye
Ryan and Rohini from Alcon’s phaco development team
Sharon from Into the Light Foundation
And a special thanks to our theater team!

09/10/2025

The # LoveYourEyes campaign continues as the theme for this year’s World Sight Day 2025

This is a shout out to help put people at the heart of eye health, making it a priority for individuals, communities and governments worldwide and to remind everyone, everywhere to prioritise their own eye health, while calling for accessible, available, and affordable eye care for all.

A central message is that at least 80% of blindness and vision impairment is preventable or treatable, often through simple interventions like glasses or cataract surgery. ��The focus is also to highlight eye health of children, emphasizing the importance of early interventions for conditions like childhood myopia to prevent future vision loss and improve educational outcomes.

Myopia control in children involves slowing the progression of nearsightedness using special atropine eye drops or special spectacle or contact lenses. Lifestyle changes like increasing outdoor time and taking breaks from screen to reduce eye strain can also help. The best approach is personalized, often involving a combination of treatments and requiring close monitoring by an eye care professional to prevent high myopia and associated complications later in life.�
World Sight Day also highlights the eye health needs of aging populations especially in the treatment of cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

So love your eyes and get an eye test for World Sight Day.

Dr Bhavna Jugadoe
Ophthalmologist
Ribumed Day Hospital
Ballito

Dr B Jugadoe Eye Specialist Book an appointment Welcome to our practice We provide a comprehensive ophthalmic service, working from two practices based in Durban and KwaDukuza. A warm and friendly environment combined with personalized care gives our patients a unique experience Our dedicated sta....

21/07/2025

CONJUNCTIVITIS

Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, usually affecting both eyes with variable pain, diffuse redness and some form of discharge.

The cause may be viral (pink eye), bacterial or underlying allergies.

a> Viral conjunctivitis (Pink eye)

It is highly contagious therefore strict hygiene is very important - avoid contact, no handshakes, no sharing of the same towel

Usually starts with one eye becoming watery, red, with associated discomfort and light sensitivity and the other eye classically becomes affected 1-2 days later. It is self-limiting and healing occurs within 1- 2 weeks

Treatment is supportive with artificial tears and cold compresses. Topical antibiotics and steroids may be required for severe cases

b> Bacterial conjunctivitis

Presents with an acute onset of redness, burning and yellowish mucopurulent discharge. Patients complain that the eyelids are frequently stuck together and difficult to open. Involvement is usually bilateral although one eye may become affected a few days before the other.

Treatment is with topical broad-spectrum antibiotic eyedrops.

c> Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis

A seasonal allergic response to common allergens such as house dust mite, tree and grass pollens and pet hair.

Presents with acute attacks of redness, watery and itchy eyes associated with sneezing and rhinitis (hayfever). Children are often found to rub their eyes.

Treatment involves removal of the stimulus and avoidance of the allergens. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe eyedrops depending on the severity.

09/06/2025

As the Best of Ballito competition comes to a close this Saturday, I'd like to extend my sincerest gratitude to everyone who has already voted for Dr B Jugadoe Ophthalmologist. Your support is much appreciated. If you haven't had a chance to vote as yet, and believe we're deserving of recognition, we'd be incredibly grateful if you could cast your vote before the deadline.
A heartfelt thanks to all.

We provide a comprehensive ophthalmic service, working from two practices based in Durban and Ballito

16/04/2025

Andrea Bocelli

I had the privilege of watching world renowned Italian Tenor and Icon Andrea Bocelli live in concert in Pretoria last weekend as part of his South African Tour

His sight was impaired from birth due to congenital glaucoma and at the age of 12 he lost his vision completely

Despite being blind his great passion for music saw him become a record breaking artist as he celebrates 30 years of bringing people together

Andrea Bocelli's performance was absolutely captivating connecting to his audience with his powerful voice and emotive delivery as he seamlessly blends classical and pop elements

14/03/2025

Glaucoma Screening

10/03/2025

We provide a comprehensive ophthalmic service, working from two practices based in Durban and Ballito

13/01/2025

THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL DEVICES ON CHILDRENS VISION.

Children spend far more time looking at tablets, smart phones and computer screens close-up, leading to school-age myopia. This also leads to digital eye strain as the eyes don’t relax by not spending enough time looking into the distance. We also naturally blink less when staring at screens for long periods and this leads to tired eyes.
Encourage your child to follow the 20-20-20 rule: Look up from the screen every 20 minutes and focus at least 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. They should also limit screen time and take frequent breaks to spend time outdoors to relax their eyes and lower the risk of myopia and digital eye strain. WHO recommends no more than 1 hour of screen time for children under the age of 5 as it is also linked to physical inactivity and poor sleep patterns.