Questions about your eye care

You can book in three ways:

• Phone the rooms on 033 812 2350 during consulting hours.
• Email admin@pmbeyedoctor.co.za.
• Use the request form on the appointments section of this site — the practice team will contact you to confirm a suitable time.

Dr Lalloo consults at:

Suite 3, Ground Floor, Pietermaritzburg Eye Hospital,
5A Alan Paton Avenue, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3201.

The suite is on the ground floor of the eye hospital. You can find the location and directions on the contact page.

Consulting hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00, with consultations on alternate Saturdays, 08:00 – 12:00. The rooms are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

If you need to be seen outside these times, please phone 033 812 2350 to discuss.

Many patients are referred by their optometrist, GP or another specialist — if you have a referral letter, please bring it with you, along with any previous scans or reports, as it helps Dr Lalloo understand your history.

If you don't have a referral, please phone the rooms on 033 812 2350 and the team will advise you on the best way to arrange your appointment.

• Your ID document and medical aid card (if applicable)
• Your referral letter, plus any previous eye reports, scans or test results
• A list of your current medications, including any eye drops
• Your current glasses and/or contact lenses
• Sunglasses — your eyes may be light-sensitive afterwards if drops are used
• Someone who can drive you home, in case your vision is blurred after dilating drops

Many eye examinations require dilating drops, which widen the pupil so the retina and optic nerve can be examined properly. This is a routine and important part of assessing conditions such as diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

The drops can leave your vision blurred and light-sensitive for several hours. For that reason it is safest to arrange for someone to drive you home, and to bring sunglasses. Please allow extra time for your visit if drops are used.

Fees vary depending on the type of consultation, tests or procedure required. Medical aid cover also differs between schemes and plans.

Please contact the rooms on 033 812 2350 or email admin@pmbeyedoctor.co.za before your visit to confirm fees, payment arrangements and what your medical aid covers.

As a specialist ophthalmic surgeon, Dr Lalloo provides both medical and surgical eye care. His main areas of practice are:

• Cataract surgery
• Glaucoma — diagnosis and ongoing management
• Diabetic eye disease, including diabetic retinopathy
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Ocular allergies
• General eye consultations, second opinions and referrals

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which develops gradually and is most commonly related to ageing. Typical symptoms include blurred or hazy vision, glare or halos around lights (often worse at night), faded colours, and needing more light to read.

Cataracts are treated with surgery, in which the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant. There is generally no need to wait until a cataract is "ripe" — the usual guide is whether the cataract is interfering with your daily activities such as driving, reading or working. Dr Lalloo will examine your eyes and discuss whether surgery is appropriate for you.

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, the nerve that carries images from the eye to the brain. It is often — though not always — associated with raised pressure inside the eye.

It matters enormously because the most common forms develop slowly and without pain or early symptoms. Side (peripheral) vision is usually affected first, so significant damage can occur before a person notices anything wrong. Importantly, vision already lost to glaucoma cannot be restored — but treatment can slow or halt further loss.

This is why regular eye examinations matter, particularly if you are over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, are diabetic, or have been told your eye pressure is high.

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels of the retina, a condition called diabetic retinopathy. In its early stages it often causes no symptoms at all, which is why screening is so important.

General guidance is that people with diabetes should have a dilated eye examination at least once a year, or more frequently if changes have already been found or if your doctor advises it. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the right interval for you.

Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol also helps protect your eyes. If you notice sudden blurring, floaters or any loss of vision, arrange to be seen promptly.

AMD affects the macula — the small central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision used in reading, recognising faces and driving. It becomes more common with age.

Symptoms can include blurring or a blank patch in the centre of your vision, and straight lines (such as door frames or lines of text) appearing wavy or distorted. Peripheral vision is usually preserved.

Management depends on the type and stage of AMD. Any sudden distortion or central vision loss should be assessed urgently, as some forms respond best to prompt treatment.

These are typical symptoms of ocular allergy (allergic conjunctivitis), one of Dr Lalloo's areas of interest. It is frequently associated with other allergic conditions such as hay fever, sinus problems, eczema and asthma, and often flares seasonally.

Management usually combines avoiding known triggers, simple measures such as cool compresses and lubricating drops, and specific anti-allergy treatment where needed. Persistent rubbing of the eyes should be avoided, as it can aggravate the problem.

If symptoms are ongoing, severe, or affecting your vision, it is worth having your eyes examined rather than relying on over-the-counter drops indefinitely.

Please seek immediate medical attention — phone the rooms during consulting hours, or go to your nearest emergency department after hours — if you experience:

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• A sudden shower of new floaters, flashing lights, or a shadow or curtain across your vision
• Severe eye pain, especially with headache, nausea or halos around lights
• An injury to the eye, or a chemical splash (rinse immediately with clean water and seek help)
• Sudden distortion of straight lines or a new blank patch in your central vision

When it comes to sight, it is always better to be checked early.