About Dr Steven Lapere

Dr Steven Lapere is an ophthalmologist who specializes in disorders of the retina and in cataract surgery.

He was born and raised in Port Elizabeth and completed his undergraduate medical degree at the University of the Free State  in 2006. This was followed by a two-year internship at Pietermaritzburg Hospital complex and a year of community service at Kimberley Hospital. During this time, he completed his Diploma in Anaesthetics.

His ophthalmology career began at Mankweng Eye Unit in Limpopo, where he worked as a medical officer and obtained a Diploma in Ophthalmology. He furthered his knowledge as a senior house officer in ophthalmology at the West of England Eye Unit  in Exeter in the United Kingdom. It is here that he discovered his passion for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disorders. His specialist training took place at Groote Schuur Hospital through the University of Cape Town. 

On completion of his specialist training, he went on to sub-specialise with a two-year fellowship in the field of Surgical Retina, Medical Retina and Ocular Oncology at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton in Canada from 2015 to 2017.

Dr Lapere has a keen interest in academic research and has presented at numerous national and international conferences. His list of research publications can be viewed here. He is a sessional consultant at Groote Schuur Hospital and a member of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa, the South African Vitreoretinal Society and the American Society of Retina Specialists.

When he is not treating patients, Dr Lapere enjoys spending his time cycling, hiking and kitesurfing. Cape Town offers the best of these, with optimal surroundings in all the seasons. He is married to Cherese Lapere, an anesthetists registrar at Groote Schuur Hospital.

Clinical Specialization and Services

Dr. Lapere’s expertise is centered on advanced vitreoretinal care, utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technology to treat complex ocular conditions. His practice is structured around the following core areas:

Retinal Surgery

He performs high-precision, micro-incisional procedures for vision-threatening conditions. These surgeries typically involve Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV), where the vitreous gel is removed to access the retina.

• Retinal Detachment Surgery: Repairing the separation of the retina from the underlying tissue using laser, gas bubbles (pneumatic retinopexy), or silicone oil to restore the retinal seal.

• Macular Hole Surgery: Closing defects in the central retina to improve fine-detail vision and reduce central “blind spots.”

• Epiretinal Membrane Surgery: The delicate removal of scar tissue (cellophane maculopathy) that has formed on the retina’s surface, which otherwise causes distorted or blurred vision.

Retinal Conditions (Medical)

Dr. Lapere manages chronic and acute disorders through pharmacological interventions, including intravitreal injections (Anti-VEGF) and laser therapy.

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Monitoring “dry” AMD and providing intensive treatment for “wet” AMD to suppress abnormal blood vessel growth.

• Retinal Vein Occlusion: Managing the blockages in the eye’s venous system that lead to swelling and sudden vision loss.

• Diabetic Retinopathy: Treating the vascular damage caused by diabetes, including macular edema and proliferative changes.

• Eye Floaters, Flashes, and Retinal Tears: Diagnosing vitreous changes and utilizing peripheral laser treatment to prevent full retinal detachment.

• Uveitis: Managing complex inflammation of the uvea (the eye’s middle layer) to prevent secondary complications like glaucoma or cataracts.

Cataract Surgery

Utilizing the latest phacoemulsification technology, Dr. Lapere performs small-incision surgery to replace cloudy natural lenses.

• Premium Lens Replacement: He offers a range of intraocular lenses (IOLs), including multifocal and toric lenses, tailored to reduce dependency on glasses and provide clear vision restoration across various distances.

Ocular Oncology

Having completed a dedicated two-year fellowship in Canada, Dr. Lapere specializes in the diagnosis and management of eye cancers.

• Choroidal Melanoma: Providing comprehensive care for the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults.

• Specialized Treatments: This includes the use of radioactive plaque brachytherapy, a localized radiation treatment designed to treat the tumor while preserving as much healthy ocular tissue and vision as possible.

Practice and Facilities

His primary practice is situated at 14 Palmyra Road, Claremont. Dr. Lapere utilizes specialized facilities for his surgical cases, operating at:

• Peninsula Eye Hospital.

• The University of Cape Town’s Private Academic Hospital.

• Groote Schuur Hospital (where he serves as a sessional consultant).