Dr Emil Goosen Ophthalmologist

29/12/2024

25/01/2024

All diabetics! Remember to get your annual eye check-up in 2024!

Watch the video to learn more.

14/03/2022

Laser therapy has been my preferred treatment for open angle glaucoma. It is fast, safe and very effective. It is a great alternative to drops in up to 80% of patients. It has kept a large proportion of my glaucoma patients off drops, bypassing the side effects associated with daily topical treatments. It can be safely used in mild to end stage glaucoma.

It is fully funded by medical aids and unlike drops does not require patient compliance to be effective!

If you would like more information, please contact our rooms at 041 374 8938.

The Lumenis SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) procedure is a treatment for open-angle glaucoma. The video provides an overview explaining what glaucoma is, the current treatment alternatives, and the reasons for SLT therapy.

07/03/2022

Please share far and wide...

Blepharitis is an infection affecting the lid margins. It is extremely common. Bacteria love to settle on the eyelashes. They form a bio film on each lash, leading to clumping of the lashes and crusting. This in turn causes red, irritable eyes.

I would easily go as far as saying that 50% of patients that we see have blepharitis of some sort.

If you have irritable eyes, FIRST TRY THIS!!!
Have a look at the video. Go buy some baby shampoo and scrub your lashes!

Details the step-by-step cleansing of the eyelids using a cotton swab and baby shampoo: 1) Wash hands; 2) Place shampoo in palm; 3) Add water, and mix shampoo using cotton swab; 4) Pull down lower lid, and rub swab over eyelid margin; 5) Rinse; 6) Repeat with fresh swab on other eye.

13/01/2022

http://fyi.rendia.com/aLcLn

Retinal detachments can happen at any time, especially on a Friday afternoon at 4pm or over the festive season. Untreated detachments can lead to permanent visual loss.

Presenting symptoms usually include new floaters, flashes of light or reduced visual acuity. Some patients describe it as a curtain hanging in front of the eye that they cannot see past.

Please do not wait to see if it will resolve spontaneously! See an ophthalmologist or an optometrist the SAME DAY if you have new symptoms that fit the criteria.

Shows how the retina's layers can separate, resulting in the retina's inability to transmit visual signals to the brain. Emphasizes the severity of this condition, requiring immediate medical attention.

09/12/2021

Floaters and flashes.

The posterior chamber of the eye is filled with jelly (the vitreous). This jelly acts as a shock absorber in the eye. It fills the posterior chamber fully and is firmly attached to the retinal surface. The jelly is firm when you are young, and slowly starts to degenerate over time. This leads to the jelly coming loose (posterior vitreous detachment) from the retina.

The traction on the retina causes flashes of light (like someone taking photos with a flash) that are more apparent in a dark setting. Floaters are caused by dense bits of jelly floating in the watery central jelly. These may be present for years.

Any new onset of floaters or flashes need to be investigated by an ophthalmologist, as it may be a symptom of a retinal tear or detachment. Delay in presentation is one of the most significant causes of a poor visual outcome if a retinal detachment is present.

DO NOT WAIT to see if it will get better. New floaters or flashes need to be seen as soon as possible.

06/12/2021

http://fyi.rendia.com/3H3e2

Glaucoma is a condition that can lead to permanent visual deterioration and even complete blindness.

Glaucoma can simply be explained as raised pressure inside the eye, causing structural damage to the nerve tissue at the back of the eye. This causes irreversible visual loss over time.

Glaucoma leads to peripheral vision loss, central vision loss/blind spots, loss of contrast sensitivity and a loss of colour brightness.

Most patients are picked up incidentally when they go to an optometrist for a spectacle test. Most are unaware that something is happening in their eyes. A lot of damage can already be present by the time that they get to our offices.

Glaucoma screening is fast and painless. Be PROACTIVE! Get glaucoma screenings done by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist, especially if there is a family history of glaucoma.

Some medical aids even reward patients when they get glaucoma screening done.

Treatment options include eye drops, laser therapy and surgery. The aim of treatment is to lower the pressure inside the eye to prevent further visual loss.

Early detection is the best weapon that we have. Get screened!

Show patients a simulation of what the world looks like through the eyes of someone with glaucoma. This piece motivates patients to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams for early detection of the silent thief of sight.

03/12/2021

http://fyi.rendia.com/u32JZ

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of visual loss in the world as well as locally. Diabetes causes cataracts, retinal damage and permanent visual impairment if it is not managed correctly.

We often get referrals when it is too late.

ALL diabetics need to be seen ONCE A YEAR by an ophthalmologist to get screening for diabetic eye disease.

Prevention and early treatment cannot be over emphasized!

Most medical aids allow for 2 visits a year for diabetic eye screening. It is a prescribed minimum benefit (PMB) condition. It will not wipe out your savings!

If you are a diabetic, please make sure that you visit your local eye specialist at least once a year to be safe.

01/12/2021

http://fyi.rendia.com/DPA

http://fyi.rendia.com/u7ctA

We often get calls from worried patients who suddenly developed a bleed on the surface of the eye.
This is called a subconjunctival bleed. The conjunctiva is the translucent membrane that covers the white part of the eye. It is filled with numerous blood vessels that have very thin walls. These vessels rupture very easily, especially with ageing, chronic corticosteroid use and systemic conditions like diabetes.
Simple tasks like bending over, tying your shoes, sneezing or coughing can cause a conjunctival vessel to burst. This is usually accompanied by a foreign body sensation or mild discomfort in the affected eye.
The bleed can spread rapidly along the conjunctival tissue to surround the cornea, it can be extensive if you are using blood thinners.
These bleeds are self-limiting and usually resorb within a couple of days. Do not fear! There is no treatment indicated (no drops, tablets or ointments are needed).
We will gladly see you if you are worried, but there is no treatment available to speed up the clearing of the blood clot. It is like a bruise on your skin.

30/06/2021

On this day, 9 years ago, I performed my very first cataract surgery as a trainee. We have come a long way! A couple of thousand surgeries later and it is still fun to walk into theater to perform these little marvels of modern medicine.

16/03/2021

Vaccine time! Make sure you are registered, get your jab and do your part to curb the spread of covid! Wear your mask and wash your hands!

23/09/2020

Patients often say that they have astigmatism and that they have been told that nothing can be done about it!

Astigmatism is simply irregularities in the shape of the front of the eye (including the cornea and the lens). Perfect image clarity relies on minimal astigmatism, a camera takes perfect pictures if the lens is perfectly round and smooth.

Astigmatism is very common, it is present in most of us to a certain degree. Your vision starts to deteriorate once the astigmatism reaches a certain threshold.

We can manage astigmatism in numerous ways, the easiest being spectacle correction. Specialized contact lenses (toric lenses) can also be used. Surgical options are used in cases where spectacle or contact lens treatments are not effective or impact on daily activities (sports etc.).

Surgical options include specialized laser ablation, limbal relaxing incisions or cataract surgery with toric lens implants.

Please watch this informative video regarding astigmatism and the various treatment options available. Please share with your family and friends to help educate everyone about astigmatism.

It CAN be treated!!!

Describes how Astigmatism can cause blurred or distorted vision at all distances, caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens which focuses light at multiple points in front of or behind the retina. Notes that mild astigmatism can cause blurriness, but severe astigmatism can prevent the performan...