Medical Retina Care in Mbombela
Specialist diagnosis and treatment of macular and retinal conditions.
At the Lowveld Eye Institute, Dr. Dean van der Westhuizen, a vitreoretinal surgeon, provides advanced medical and surgical care for conditions affecting the macula and retina — the most delicate part of the eye responsible for central vision.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 60. It damages the macula, the part of the retina that provides sharp central vision.
Dry AMD
- More common, slower progressing form.
- Caused by thinning of the macula and drusen (small deposits).
- Symptoms: gradual blurring of central vision, difficulty reading or recognizing faces.
- Management: lifestyle changes, vitamin supplements (AREDS formulations), monitoring, and low-vision support.
Wet AMD
- Less common, but more aggressive.
- Caused by abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid or blood under the macula.
- Symptoms: sudden distortion (straight lines look wavy), dark patches, rapid vision loss.
- Management: intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF medication to stop leakage and preserve vision.
Other Macular & Retinal Conditions
Macular Dystrophies
Inherited conditions that affect the macula, often beginning earlier in life than AMD. Vision loss can be gradual and variable depending on the type. Genetic testing, counselling, and supportive care play a role in management.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR)
Fluid builds up under the macula, often linked to stress or steroid use.
- Symptoms: blurred central vision, a “dark spot,” or distorted shapes.
- Management: many cases resolve spontaneously, but persistent cases may require laser treatment or intravitreal therapy.
Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO)
A complication of diabetic retinopathy where fluid accumulates in the macula.
- Management: intravitreal injections, sometimes combined with laser therapy.
Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
A blocked vein in the retina causing swelling and bleeding.
- Symptoms: sudden, painless vision loss.
- Management: intravitreal injections, laser treatment, and systemic risk factor control (blood pressure, cholesterol).
Why Choose Specialist Retina Care?
- Early detection saves sight — many macular diseases progress silently.
- Advanced imaging — OCT scans, widefield imaging, and fluorescein angiography available on-site.
- Comprehensive treatment — from monitoring and injections to laser and surgery.
- Specialist expertise — Dr. van der Westhuizen has advanced training in medical and surgical retina.
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Detailed eye scan to assess your macula and retina.
- Discussion of diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your condition.
- Treatment or monitoring — from lifestyle advice and supplements to advanced injection therapy or surgery.
- Follow-up care — to preserve vision long-term.
Book Your Retina Consultation
If you have blurred vision, distorted lines, dark patches, or a family history of retinal disease, don’t delay. Early diagnosis and treatment can protect your sight.
Call us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dean van der Westhuizen at the Lowveld Eye Institute.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main physiological differences between dry and wet macular degeneration?
Dry macular degeneration is more common, progresses slowly, and involves thinning of the macula alongside small cellular deposits called drusen. Conversely, wet macular degeneration is highly aggressive and develops when abnormal, fragile blood vessels proliferate beneath the macula, subsequently leaking fluid or blood into the delicate retinal layers and causing rapid structural disruption.
What specific symptoms indicate that a patient may have developed wet macular degeneration?
Patients developing wet macular degeneration frequently experience acute and noticeable visual distortions. Classic symptoms include straight lines appearing distinctly wavy or bent, the sudden onset of dark patches or blind spots within the central visual field, and a rapid, severe decline in overall visual clarity that significantly interferes with normal face recognition.
How is wet age-related macular degeneration clinically managed at the facility?
Wet age-related macular degeneration is managed using advanced intravitreal injections containing anti-VEGF medications. These specialized pharmaceuticals target and inhibit the chemical signals driving abnormal blood vessel growth. By stopping fluid leakage and preventing further bleeding underneath the macula, this targeted therapy stabilizes retinal structures, prevents scarring, and helps preserve long-term eyesight.
What is central serous chorioretinopathy and what treatment options are available?
Central serous chorioretinopathy involves a localized build-up of fluid beneath the macula, often associated with elevated psychological stress or systemic steroid use. While many cases resolve spontaneously without intervention, persistent or chronic fluid accumulation is actively treated using targeted thermal laser photocoagulation or advanced intravitreal injection therapy to accelerate subretinal fluid absorption.
How does the clinic diagnose and treat retinal vascular conditions like retinal vein occlusion?
Retinal vein occlusion occurs when a primary retinal vein becomes blocked, inducing immediate swelling and intraocular bleeding that triggers sudden, painless vision loss. The clinic manages this condition through precision intravitreal injections and targeted laser treatments while coordinating systemic control of underlying cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
What specialized on-site diagnostic imaging technologies are utilized for medical retina care?
The Lowveld Eye Institute features advanced diagnostic imaging technologies essential for identifying subtle macular pathologies. The clinic provides high-resolution optical coherence tomography scans to map microstructural retinal layers. Additionally, specialized widefield retinal imaging and diagnostic fluorescein angiography are performed on-site to evaluate complex vascular circulation and detect hidden capillary leakage.
What clinical management options are available for diabetic macular oedema?
Diabetic macular oedema is a complex vascular complication of diabetic retinopathy characterized by fluid accumulation directly inside the macula. Clinical management at the institute combines precision intravitreal injections to stop capillary leakage with targeted focal laser therapy. This integrated medical approach reduces structural swelling, preserves central visual acuity, and stabilizes long-term retinal health.