Medicine for your eyes

Born and raised in Kroonstad in the Freestate, Dr Priscila Mothekhe’s interest in eye care lead her to specialise in ophthalmology.

“I wasn’t always sure what I wanted to specialise in, but the interest was sparked by a colleague who knew a little bit more about the field.

“I then asked a few ophthalmologists some questions before making the ultimate decision,” she explains
Mothekhe obtained her MBChB from the University of Free State, before coming to Gauteng to work as a medical officer.

She completed her ophthalmology studies at Wits University.

“In this field, you mix a little bit of medical with surgical skills. I loved operating, especially in the beginning. And this is fine surgery, because you work under the microscope, unlike general surgery,” she adds.

She says the equipment she uses enables her to view the eye in great detail. Mothekhe says she still enjoys the preventative aspect of her job.

“It is easy to deal with something that we detect early. In cases such as diabetes, there is so much that can be done for patients if we catch any damage in the eyes quickly,” she explains.

She encourages people not to wait too long when they suspect that there could be something wrong with their eyes.

“Just like everything else in your body, if you sit with it, chances are it will only get worse. With some conditions, there is a point at which it cannot be reversed,” says Mothekhe.

She also encourages people with a family history of glaucoma to get their eyes checked often.

“Squint eyes is another condition that can be corrected in children,” she adds.

Mothekhe says that eye health depends on the health of the rest of the body.

“If you eat well and you give your body everything it needs, your eyes will thrive just like your other organs. Some people will discover allergies because of how their eyes react to certain things,” she says.

Mothekhe says one of the best preventative measures for eye health is to avoid touching or scratching your eyes.

And to wash hands as often as possible because one may not realise how often they touch the area close to their eyes.

Mothekhe is based at Life Springs Parkland Hospital.