Dr Daemon McClunan

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Services includes :

• Cataract
  A cataract is a milky film that covers the eye lens. Seeing through these foggy lenses can be difficult, especially when reading or driving. It is also challenging to differentiate between facial features when looking through cataracts. The natural proteins inside the eyes break down, making the lens foggy. Pictures become less clear and dull, sometimes giving off a yellow shade. Cataracts cause double or hazy vision, and the lens becomes sensitive to light. One of the most obvious clues is not being able to see well. Ageing is a contributory factor.
• Glaucoma
  Glaucoma refers to a branch of eye diseases that arises from high intraocular pressure that affects the optic nerve. The optic nerve is made up of nerve fibres that acts as a communicable cable between the eye and the brain and transfers visual data for the brain to convert it into meaning. When symptoms of glaucoma are not made apparent, it is often left neglected and eventually leads to permanent blindness. An essential fluid called aqueous humour covers the front part of the eye and nourishes the underlying layers. Typically, aqueous humour leaves through a drainage system referred to as the trabecular meshwork. The meshwork is a point where the cornea and iris touch. Functional changes can damage this angle, and therefore, the aqueous humour cannot drain properly.
• Spectacle and contact lens intolerance
  Certain ocular conditions prevent the use of spectacles and contact lenses. Eye infections, dry eyes and allergies are a few of the legitimate reasons people cannot wear contact lenses. Diagnostic eye tests using a slit lamp and a corneal topography assessment determines any prior level of damage to the eye’s chambers. A slit lamp combines the function of light and a microscope to view the internal anatomy of the eye, which is an effective assessment for infection. Corneal topography assessment measures the curvature of the cornea and pinpoints any irregularities in relation to its shape. Other than the use of glasses, patients can consider laser refractive procedures such as LASIK and PRK.
• Pterygium membranes
  Pterygium is a flesh-like membrane that first forms as a pinguecula, a yellow, raised bump on the conjunctiva and engulfs the cornea. A pterygium that extends from the corner of the eye can grow large enough to obstruct the eye and prevent light from filtering through the cornea. Because of this condition, it becomes hard to see people’s faces and objects. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and windy, sandy conditions increase the risk of pterygium. Redness inside the inflamed cornea is something to look out for, which could indicate the pterygium is growing. Pterygium can be removed through surgery and is necessary when eye pain occurs and becomes debilitating.
• Diabetes-related eye disease
  Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related ocular disease that affects the retina, a fine layer of tissue that occupies the back part of the eye. The build-up of sugar within the blood affects vessels inside the retina. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a form of disease that prevents the growth of new vessels. The inside of retinal vessels weakens, and as a result, bulges form from within the walls-when the inside of the walls balloon, we refer to these as microaneurysms. An aneurysm that ruptures cause blood to leak on the eye, more specifically, the retinal surface. Although this is rare, it can impair a person's field of vision. What's quite common are large, abnormal vessels growing on the retina and obscuring sight.
• Age-related macular degeneration
  Macular degeneration is an ocular condition associated with age. Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, affecting more people than glaucoma and cataracts. Our macula lies inside the middle of the retina and has vital functions. This part of the eye distinguishes between colours, faces and controls how a person focuses on letters and drives. If the condition degenerates beyond repair, central vision will be significantly impacted.
• Dry and watery eyes
  Dry eyes and epiphora (watery eyes) are more common than one can expect. Dry eyes happen due to poor tear quality or a lack of it. A waterless, dry eye leads to inflammation and thus injures the surface. A Schirmer test measures the number of tears the eye produces. If very little fluid is found on the paper beneath the lower lids, this indicates dry eyes. A dry eye surface damages the cornea and may result in vision loss or the formation of ocular ulcers. Watery eyes (epiphora) happen when tears fill the sides of the face rather than moving through a special nasolacrimal system. Watery eyes signal an infection, dry eyes, conjunctivitis or a poor tear drainage system. Medications and surgery are forms of treatment for watery eyes.
• General ophthalmology
  Apart from performing complex eye surgeries, Dr McClunan carries out general ocular exams to check for prevalent eye conditions, which include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. In addition to this, Dr McClunan offers eye screenings for diabetic eye disease or glaucoma and to find out whether his patients qualify for laser eye surgery or LASIK.
• Advanced cataract surgery
  Advanced cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and involves the use of an ultrasound probe to break up and remove the murky lens. To access the cataract, Dr McClunan makes a tiny incision around the lens and carefully slides a new artificial lens over the affected eye (s). After he removes fragments of what is left of the cataract, which is done once he tests for refractive error, he stitches the small cut within the cornea.
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
  MIGS is a new, advanced eye surgery that prevents blindness due to glaucoma. MIGS aims to reduce intraocular pressure that tends to rise as a result of a fault in the trabecular meshwork, the eye’s drainage system. MIGS prevents the build-up of pressure inside the eye that is capable of damaging the optic nerve. iStent is a micro-bypass device that is inserted in the front of the eye to help drain more ocular fluid through the trabecular meshwork. A trabectome is an electrocautery tool that’s used to create a hole in the meshwork for more fluid to flow out of the eye.
• Refractive and multifocal lens surgery
  Multifocal lens surgery occurs after the removal of cataracts and entails the exchange of the old natural lens with a new artificial lens to improve eyesight. A multifocal lens implant repairs vision for both far and short distances. Multifocal lenses are alternatives to spectacles and correct refractive error immediately after their implantation. These implantable multifocal lenses are equipped with concentric rings that direct light from any angle onto the retina. An acrylic contact lens is inserted between the lens and iris. This procedure occurs on both eyes to correct sight permanently.
• LASIK, PRK and laser refractive procedures
  Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a less invasive, bladeless, computer-assisted laser eye procedure. LASIK has many advantages in terms of scarring with a very little risk of it and a fast recovery. Of course, LASIK or Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) reduces a dependency on prescription contact lenses and spectacles. Also, when a patient develops intolerance to contact lenses or glasses, he or she has the option of undergoing laser eye surgery to correct this issue. LASIK is a quick and straightforward procedure. A flap is formed over the corneal surface, and a laser is used to re-contour tissue and correct the excessive curvature of the cornea. PRK is similar to LASIK but a more reliable eye surgery for a patient whose cornea is thin.
• Glaucoma and retina laser procedures
  Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a surgical eye procedure to reduce high eye pressure that contributes to glaucoma. A laser infiltrates the eye’s drainage tissue, which undergoes a biochemical alteration. The trabecular meshwork’s immune system is targeted and performs better than it did before. Within two months, the tissue drains fluid in excess and reduces high intraocular pressure. SLT happens inside the doctor's rooms and takes ten minutes to complete. Laser eye surgery is entirely painless and prevents vision loss. While SLT isn’t a permanent solution to glaucoma, it does lower the risk of irreversible blindness.
• Pterygium membrane removal
  Pterygium removal is the permanent dissection of all the pterygium tissue with little or no scarring. Dr McClunan removes pterygia along with conjunctiva tissue and replaces this membrane with a graft. Fibrin glue that comprises rich clotting proteins secures the graft without the need for stitches. A few days after surgery, there isn’t a trace of fibrin glue or any residue as it dissolves completely within a week. A bandage over the lens prevents irritants from entering the eye. Dr McClunan’s method of pterygia removal reduces the risk of its recurrence by 2 -5 %.
• Eyelid growth removal
  Different types of growths vary in colour and size, forming on the outer ridge or inside the eyelid. Most of the time, these growths don't pose a threat to a person's health but can become irritating and unpleasing to look at. Given that most eyelid growths such as a small stye, chalazia and milia are benign, some types pose a threat to one's sight and overall health. These dangerous types of growths come in the form of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Dr McClunan performs freeze therapy (cryotherapy), applies heat or uses a laser to remove these growths.
• Glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and LASIK screening
  There are various ocular tests designed to screen for diabetic eye disease and glaucoma in patients at risk of these diseases. A dilated pupil exam is a simple test that uses eye drops to dilate the pupils and get a better view of the inside. A test such as this detects leaky or abnormal blood vessels inside the retina, which signals complications of the eye in diabetes patients. There are other additional tests to screen for glaucoma, one of these being tonometry that measures a patient’s eye pressure. The photos from optic nerve imaging will determine if there is any damage done to it. Patients undergo LASIK screening to find out whether they qualify for laser eye surgery. There are certain criteria patients must meet before undergoing this procedure. Dr McClunan offers LASIK screening satellite consultations for patients of Dr Dylan Joseph in Knysna.