Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital, 5A Alan Paton Avenue, Pietermaritzburg (2026)

29/03/2026

As we close out World Optometry Week, let‘s answer the FAQ “how often should one have a consultation with an optometrist?”

Answer: Optometrists are a critical part of the eye care network, they are essential to helping patients and, when appropriate, referring them on to Ophthalmologists and the Hospital. Together, we strive to help each person live their best life through Expert Treatment, Exceptional Care. If you don’t have any symptoms or vision problems, doctors recommend getting regular eye exams as follows:

Answer: Optometrists are a critical part of the eye care network, they are essential to helping patients and, when appropriate, referring them on to Ophthalmologists and the Hospital. Together, we strive to help each person live their best life through Expert Treatment, Exceptional Care. If you don’t have any symptoms or vision problems, doctors recommend getting regular eye exams as follows;

Children & Teenagers: As recommended by an eye care professional, particularly during school years and periods of growth.

If you are a healthy adult with no symptoms: a check-up every 1–2 years, two years is a good general guideline.

Adults Over 60: Annually to check for age-related conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Contact Lens Wearers: Generally annually, or as advised, to check for proper lens fit and eye health.

When to See an Optometrist Sooner:
You should schedule an appointment immediately if you experience any of the following:
* Sudden blurry vision or difficulty focusing.
* Frequent headaches or eye strain.
* Eye pain, redness, or excessive watering.
* Flashes of light or new, constant, or excessive floaters.
* Difficulty with night driving or seeing in low light.

28/03/2026

Continuing our series of FAQs, we are often asked “how important are preventative measures eg sunglasses etc?”

Answer: 75% of all cases of blindness are avoidable, through prevention or treatment, which is why learning about how to care for your eyes and making time to prevent what you can is so important.

Self-care includes protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays by using UV A & B filtering sunglasses and wearing wide-brimmed sunhats (CANSA approved are best!). These measures slow the formation of cataracts and pterygiums.

It is extremely important to protect your eyes with safety glasses while doing the following: brush cutting, grinding, hammering metal, chopping wood. Safety glasses are available from most hardware shops from as little as R80 – R150. We believe this is a great investment indeed

Sports and activity environments come with their own unique set of risks to the eyes. Awareness of the whereabouts of the sports equipment and balls helps to reduce the chance of accidents and collisions. A good life-long habit of wearing protective clothing specific to each sport/ activity at all times such as glasses for squash and cycling should be encouraged and enforced.

27/03/2026

In World Optometry Week, we recognise the importance of our Optometrists. They are the entry point into the eye care system and offer primary health care for the eyes. We thank them for their positive contribution to improving the quality of life for all South Africans.

This year’s theme, “A shared vision: collaboration in global eye care,” highlights the importance of closing the gaps in eye care through coordination, referrals, and collaboration.

We often get asked questions about eye care so we will share answers to the top 3 questions over the next few days.

Question: What are the symptoms or conditions people shouldn't ignore?

Answer: If you are concerned about your eyes but are unsure what to do, we would recommend that you reach out for assistance. Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
*A sudden loss of vision
*Severe eye pain
*A sudden onset or worsening of a shadow or curtain over the vision, associated with flashes of light and floaters.
*Severe pain or loss of vision in an eye following an eye operation
*A chemical splash into the eye
*A firecracker injury
*A blunt or penetrating injury to the eye
*Double vision

Here are 6 signs that you should get an exam to be assessed by your Optometrist on the calendar soon:
*You have diabetes or another health condition that affects your eyes. Also, if you have a family history of conditions like diabetes or glaucoma you may need exams more often, especially as you move into your 50’s and beyond.
*You can’t remember when you last had an eye exam. If it’s been longer than a year, you’re overdue.
*You have difficulty driving at night with scattering of light and difficulty seeing street signs in the dark. You have difficulty reading other cars’ number plates during the day.
*You experience eye strain, headaches and/or blurred vision after spending an extended amount of time in front of a computer screen.
*You get motion sick, dizzy, or have trouble following a moving target.
*You hold books or the newspaper further away from your face and squint or
close one eye to read them clearly.

Don’t wait until you experience any of these before you schedule an eye exam though. Your optometrist plays a critical role in assessing your eyes to identify any changes or progression of conditions. Just by looking at your eyes, your eye care team can detect a wide range of diseases like diabetes, retinal vein occlusion and glaucoma just by looking at your eyes. Sticking with a healthcare professional you trust is particularly important for continuity of care so that they can compare your eyes to previous examination findings.

13/03/2026

How can you protect your vision from glaucoma?

Regular testing is the only way to identify glaucoma before it damages a person’s vision.

The South African Glaucoma Society recommends:
*Over 40s, have your eyes tested every two years. Over 60s, annual checkups are recommended.
*If someone in your family has glaucoma, you should have your eyes tested regularly. This is especially important if the affected relative was under 40 years of age when the glaucoma was first discovered.

Should you be diagnosed with glaucoma, various combinations of drops, non-invasive procedures and surgical solutions are available.

The frequency of glaucoma diagnosis has supported the innovation of many new techniques and devices.

For more information visit https://www.sags.co.za/

11/03/2026

How do you know you have glaucoma?

As the pressure builds, you don’t notice any changes. There is usually no pain or other symptoms. Only when the condition progresses will vision problems be noticed.

Some risk factors for glaucoma include; being over the age of 50, African or Asian origin, diabetes, family history of glaucoma, eye trauma and poor blood circulation in hands and feet.

Acute Glaucoma: Sudden decreased vision, pain, redness and even headaches and nausea can indicate acute glaucoma. This is an ocular emergency.

Childhood glaucoma: Children can also get glaucoma, but with the slightly different symptoms of cloudy eye surface and enlarged eyes. They need early referral to an ophthalmologist. Older children with glaucoma will usually have high eye pressures similar to those of an adult.

For more information visit https://www.sags.co.za/

09/03/2026

How does an eye develop glaucoma?

With glaucoma, the fluid within the eye (aqueous humour) increases in volume, filling up the eyeball and building up pressure. This pressure pushes on the optic nerve squeezing it in certain areas and causing nerve damage.

The damage to the optic nerve results in vision loss around the edge of the vision or in patches within the central vision. This damage is irreversible and can lead to blindness if not controlled.

Because of this, it is important to control the glaucoma to preserve vision.

For more information visit https://www.sags.co.za/

25/02/2026

If you are travelling through to the Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital over the next couple of days (26 and 27 February), please plan some additional travel time.

With the opening of legislature, we anticipate some congestion and traffic officer presence in the area. If you are delayed, please don't worry and we will make a plan when you are able to arrive.

05/02/2026

"I can live my life to the full, with confidence, knowing my Glaucoma is being monitored and I am doing all I can do to keep it under control. My eye checks with my regular Optometrist and Ophthalmologist ensure changes are tracked and treatment is updated."

Glaucoma, easily identified during recommended screening for over 50s, can be controlled so visual deterioration is slowed. The use of eye drops reduces pressure in the eye, but annual monitoring, a safe environment to avoid accidents, regular activity, and embracing technology to support reduced vision, are all ways to live a better life.

Life gets better when you participate in your own healthcare, and continue to do things independently and safely. The things that you enjoy can be done any time you choose.

We commit to Expert Treatment and Exceptional Care. www.pmbeyehospital.co.za

You can find more information at https://www.sags.co.za (South African Glaucoma Society)

18/12/2025

If you are concerned about your eyes but are unsure what to do, we would recommend that you reach out for assistance.

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
*A sudden loss of vision
*Severe eye pain
*A sudden onset or worsening of a shadow or curtain over the vision, associated with flashes of light and floaters.
*Severe pain or loss of vision in an eye following an eye operation
*A chemical splash into the eye
*A firecracker injury
*A blunt or penetrating injury to the eye
*Double vision

Any minor eye ailments can be assessed by your GP, Optometrist, Pharmacist or at the local clinic.

Please note that the Hospital will be closing on Friday 19th December 2025 and reopening on Monday, 5th January 2026. There may be delayed responses to website, email or messenger enquiries over this period. However, one of our Ophthalmologists will be on call and can be contacted on 033 812 2300 in case of an eye emergency. If you don't get an immediate response, please leave a message. The Doctor may be busy in a consultation so unable to answer. Should you still not have heard back after a couple of hours, feel free to call again.

15/12/2025

SELF-CARE FOR YOUR EYES

75% of blindness is avoidable through prevention or treatment. Learning about how to care for your eyes and taking quick and easy action to prevent what you can is so important.

Self-care includes protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays by using UV A & B filtering sunglasses and wearing wide-brimmed sun hats (CANSA-approved are best!). These slow the formation of cataracts and pterygiums. Eye protection goggles should be used whenever performing activities in a workshop or metalwork to prevent pieces from entering the eye.

Beyond self-care, your optometrist plays a critical role in assessing your eyes to identify any changes or progression of conditions. Sticking with a healthcare professional you trust is particularly important for continuity of care so that they can compare your eyes to previous examination findings.

Chronic conditions can have a significant impact on your eye health and vision. We recommend an annual dilated eye exam with an ophthalmologist for people with diabetes, hypertension or a family history of eye disorders such as AMD or glaucoma.

The team at the Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital are available if you have any questions or would like guidance. www.pmbeyehospital.co.za

28/11/2025

“I can live my life to the full, with peace of mind, knowing my eye health is being managed and my sight protected despite my chronic conditions. My regular eye checks ensure early detection and that any corrective action needed is taken.”

Regular eye checks, at various life stages, are essential to protecting your eye health especially if you have any chronic conditions. Engage with your eye health care team (which includes your GP, Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, the Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital) and see the difference an early intervention can make. That’s why we do what we do.

Life gets better when you can do things independently and safely. The things that you enjoy can be done any time you choose.

We commit to Expert Treatment and Exceptional Care.

19/11/2025

Are you enthusiastic about contributing to a positive patient experience? Do you thrive in a fast-paced surgical clinical environment? Do you enjoy working interdependently as part of a close team?

We are recruiting for an Registered Nurse in the Day Ward as a member of the nursing clinical care team.
To find out more about the position and apply, go here: https://www.pmbeyehospital.co.za/vacancies/

Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital

29/03/2026

28/03/2026

27/03/2026

13/03/2026

11/03/2026

09/03/2026

25/02/2026

05/02/2026

18/12/2025

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28/11/2025

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