Dr Steven Lapere

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Services includes :

• Cataract
  A cataract is a milky fog around the lens of the eye. When the lens begins to fog up, it's challenging to drive, read or see things adequately. Cataracts usually progress slowly over time and cause vision to deteriorate. Eyeglasses and sufficient lighting combat eye deterioration due to cataracts, but when the condition interferes with your daily routine, cataract surgery may be necessary. At first, the fogged-up eye lens may be minimal and not disturb one's eyesight completely, but as the cataract grows larger, eye problems become more transparent.
• Glaucoma
  Glaucoma is an eye condition that affects the optic nerve. The optic nerve delivers visual information from the eyes to the brain. Open-angle glaucoma is a common form of the degenerative eye condition that causes gradual vision loss. Glaucoma increases pressure within the eye-high pressure can damage optic nerve tissue. Glaucoma symptoms include eye pain, nausea, red eyes and blurry vision. The ophthalmologist assesses the eye and notes any changes to one's vision, such as blind spots and tunnel vision. Eye drops and laser surgery are treatment options for glaucoma.
• Squint (Strabismus)
  Squint or strabismus affects the alignment of the eyes. Squint is either congenital or a result of trauma and occurs when the eye muscles, the extraocular muscles are not in sync. The one eye remains fixed in position while the other turns in or outward. Both eyes are unable to focus on a particular spot at the same time. In some instances, wearing a patch over the healthy eye helps train the lazy eye to focus adequately.
• Macular degeneration
  The macula makes up the centre of the retina, which enables one to focus, read and identify colours, objects and faces in detail. When the macula degenerates, its function is impaired. There exist two forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Wet macular degeneration is a more severe form of the eye condition that arises from abnormal blood vessels which interfere with central vision. Dry macular degeneration is the gradual decline of photoreceptors which affect one’s primary vision.
• Retinal vein occlusion
  The retina acts a photographic film behind the eye and comprises of fine layers of tissue which send images to the brain. Usually, arteries and veins pump oxygenated blood throughout the body. Retinal vein occlusion occurs when the vein within the retina becomes obstructed, either partially or entirely. Signs of retinal vein occlusion include blurry vision and a weak spot in the eye that impairs vision. There's no way to unblock veins in the retina. Still, Dr Lapere will use an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or a VEGF injection to suppress the development of abnormal blood vessels. He also prescribes an intravitreal injection of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
• Flashes & floaters
  The vitreous is a transparent jelly-like liquid that fills the interior of the eye. Over time, the vitreous loses its volume and becomes thinner. The vitreous can then collapse and detach from the retina. Once the vitreous separates from the retina, floaters form in the eyes. Flashes and floaters are specks of light that interfere with one's vision. Most flashes and floaters are not particularly severe, but it can damage the retina when there are showers of floaters or large floaters. When flashes and floaters interfere with vision, a type of surgery known as a vitrectomy can restore eyesight.
• Retinal detachment
  The retina lines the interior of the eye and delivers pictures to the brain for its interpretation of the visual information. Retinal detachment is a severe condition that occurs when the retina is moved from its original position. When retina detachment happens, one must seek emergency care to prevent blindness. Symptoms of retinal detachment include the immediate appearance of flashes and floaters, blurry vision and limited peripheral vision. The retina disconnects from the retinal pigment epithelium that nourishes it and causes visual impairment. The only way to repair retinal detachment is through eye surgery. Scleral buckle, vitrectomy and pneumatic retinopexy are types of surgeries that are performed to correct retinal detachment.
• Inherited retinal diseases
  Inherited retinal diseases are rare types of hereditary retinal conditions. Inherited retinal diseases affect people of all ages and progress at different rates. If left untreated, inherited retinal diseases could lead to blindness. Inherited retinal diseases are a result of a genetic mutation that affects the production of essential proteins which promote the function of the retina. The ophthalmologist must perform tests to evaluate the structure and overall health of the eye.
• A sudden decrease in the vision
  Numerous conditions can cause a sudden decrease in vision. Vision loss can affect one or both eyes and may occur in a matter of days. Anything that disrupts the flow of light to the retina causes a sudden decrease in vision. In some cases, a sudden decrease in vision could be a sign of stroke, an eye infection or glaucoma.
• Red eyes
  Red-eye occurs when the sclera, the white of the eye becomes bloodshot. Irritants like smoke, chemicals, dust and pollution trigger pink or bloodshot eyes. But in some cases, red eyes could be a sign of a severe infection or retinal condition. To treat red eyes, the ophthalmologist needs to examine the patient’s overall eye health to find any underlying cause of the condition. Red eyes, in conjunction with discharge and sensitivity to light, require immediate medical intervention.
• Cataract surgery
  Cataract surgery is one of the most widespread eye procedures with a high success rate. Cataract removal needs to happen as soon as one’s vision starts to deteriorate. Cataract surgery involves the removal and replacement of the cloudy lens with a translucent artificial lens. Before cataract surgery, however, the ophthalmologist measures the internal dimensions of the eye to calculate the intraocular lens power. Cataract surgery is a low-risk outpatient procedure. Most patients return home on the same day of the procedure and are prescribed eye drops to soothe the eyes.
• Squint surgery
  Squint surgery restores binocular vision and self-confidence. Even a minor squint leads to blurry vision, lazy eye and double vision. Squint surgery is the alteration of particular eye muscles which are the cause of a squint. Squint surgery is an outpatient procedure that’s performed while the patient is under general anaesthesia. After squint surgery, the ophthalmologist prescribes eye drops to relieve discomfort. For surgical reposition, the ophthalmologist tightens, loosens and strengthens muscles to realign the eyes.
• Vitrectomy
  Vitrectomy is the surgical treatment of diabetic retinopathy, macular hole and retinal detachment. Vitrectomy is the removal of vitreous gel to view the retina adequately. A vitrectomy removes scar tissue and repairs macular holes and retinal detachment. The ophthalmologist makes micro-incision in the outer part of the eye, through the white of the eye and removes vitreous gel to access the retina. To treat retinal detachment, the ophthalmologist drains fluid beneath the retina and uses a laser to close the tear. Silicone oil or a saline substitute for vitreous gel holds the retina in place. To treat the epiretinal membrane, the ophthalmologist gently peels the membrane from the retina. To treat a macular hole, the ophthalmologist inserts a gas bubble behind the vitreous gel and removes the membrane.
• Retinal detachment surgery
  Retinal detachment surgery is an urgent medical procedure that’s used to correct a displaced retina. Three types of procedures that are used to correct retinal detachment include: Vitrectomy, pneumatic retinopexy and scleral buckle. The different surgeries entail different techniques to repair a detached retina. For a vitrectomy, the ophthalmologist makes tiny incisions in the outer region of the eye and removes the vitreous to relieve discomfort. Pneumatic retinopexy is the inflation of a gas bubble behind the eye to close the tear and prevent the build-up of fluid and reattach the retina. For the scleral buckle, the ophthalmologist attaches a silicone-based buckle to the sclera to prevent friction of the vitreous on the retina.
• Laser treatment for diabetic eye disease
  Lasers are an effective treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy damages the retina and causes vision loss. To prevent blindness or eye deterioration as a result of diabetic eye disease, the ophthalmologist at Melrose House utilises laser eye therapy. Before laser therapy, the ophthalmologist makes use of angiography and injects non-toxic dye into the bloodstream to view constricted veins within the eye. Photocoagulation stops the leakage of blood in the eye. Panretinal photocoagulation is laser therapy that's spread over a few sessions to shrink problematic blood vessels.
• Treatment of eye tumours
  Dr Lapere and Dr Scholtz specialise in the treatment of eye tumours in their paediatric and adult patients. Tumours in the eye are usually a result of metastasised cancer. Eye tumours advance to the optic nerve, brain and other regions of the body. Retinoblastoma is a paediatric eye cancer that starts in the retina, the inner lining of the eye. Symptoms of retinoblastoma include red eyes, swelling and a white-coloured centre of the eye. Enucleation and chemotherapy form the first line of treatment of eye tumours.