TEAM
Dr Daemon McClunan, Prof Hamzah Mustak, Dr Pieter Van Der Merwe, Prof Christopher Tinley and Dr Leandri Linde are specialist ophthalmologists at the Atlantic Eye Centre. Our practice caters to every patient's need with regard to vision, functionality and appearance. Our doctors are fully trained in all disciplines of ophthalmology, but each one has carved out a niche in a superspecialised field.
Dr Daemon McClunan www.drdaemonmcclunan.co.za
Dr Daemon McClunan’s achievements seek to challenge the frontiers of ophthalmic research and development. Dr McClunan is accoladed amongst his peers for being the youngest member to serve on the South African Glaucoma Society committee, the founder of LIQID MEDICAL Pty - a multi award winning ophthalmic biotechnology company, and the creator of four patented devices.
Dr McClunan received the Geoff Howes and Ophthalmic society medals while in specialist training at Groote Schuur Hospital. Medals of the highest prestige; awarded to the candidate with the highest examination results. He further holds distinctions with his medical degree (MBChB) obtained from Stellenbosch University in 2009, and his Masters in Medicine (MMed) for his surgical technique.
On a humanitarian note, Dr McClunan joined a non-profit cause during his community year to tackle the harsh Southern African terrain by motorbike, travelling over 15,000km with his expedition team to carry out rural eye screenings amongst the poorer communities. These days, owing to a demanding work schedule, his philanthropic efforts extend mainly to free eye screenings for family members. In his leisure time, Dr McClunan enjoys hiking, diving, and kitesurfing and prioritises spending quality time with his wife, two small children and two dogs.
Dr McClunan’s dedication to his field of expertise is further cemented by international observership experience in Glaucoma and Advanced Cataract surgery from the Prism Eye Institute in Toronto as well as in Glaucoma surgery from the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne.
While Dr McClunan treats many eye conditions, he specialises in advanced cataract surgery with expert skills in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Dr McClunan also specialises in laser refractive surgery, including LASIK, SMILE and Implantable Contact Lenses.
Professor Hamzah Mustak
Professor Hamzah Mustak is a qualified ophthalmologist and a Fellow of the College of Ophthalmologists of South Africa since 2016. Professor Mustak obtained his medical degree (MBChB) with honours from the University of Cape Town in 2007 and received his Diploma in Ophthalmology along with the Neville-Walsh medal in 2012. Professor Mustak completed his internship training at Pietermaritzburg Hospital Complex in 2009 and thereafter served his community service hours at Eerste River Hospital in 2010. He was appointed Medical Officer in Ophthalmology at Groote Schuur Hospital from 2011 to 2013 and was promoted to Registrar in Ophthalmology from 2013 to 2017. With a passion for oculoplastics, Professor Mustak decided to pursue this area and completed his Fellowship in Oculoplastics through the Stein Eye Institute in Los Angeles under the mentorship of Professor Robert Goldberg in 2018. He currently works as a Consultant Ophthalmologist in Ocular Oncology, Oculoplastics and Orbital Surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital in the ophthalmology department.
Professor Mustak is registered as an ophthalmologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Dr Pieter Van Der Merwe
Dr Pieter van der Merwe was born and raised in Pretoria, the Jacaranda City of South Africa. He completed his medical degree at the University of Pretoria and then moved to Pietermaritzburg for 3 ½ years to serve as a Medical Officer in Ophthalmology at Edendale hospital.
Dr Van der Merwe then completed his specialist training and MMed at the Groote Schuur Hospital affiliated with the University of Cape Town.
On completion of his specialist training, he was accepted into the prestigious Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship program at the University of Toronto, Canada. He spent a year in fellowship training under the world-renowned retinal surgeons, Dr Efrem Mandelcorn, Peter Kertes, Robert Devenyi and Ken Eng, perfecting his craft in medical and surgical treatment of vitreoretinal disease. During this time, he was awarded the Lin Family Memorial Award presented annually to the graduating subspecialty fellow who demonstrates superior surgical, clinical and interpersonal skills.
Outside of work, he is devoted to his family as well as being an avid cyclist.
Professor Christopher Tinley
Professor Christopher Tinley is a dual fellowship-trained specialist who served as Head of Paediatric Ophthalmology at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town from 2011 until 2021. This institution is a flagship for Paediatric Ophthalmology on the continent and supports a network of hospitals within the Western and Eastern Cape. He has produced 24 peer-reviewed publications, with a Google Scholar h-index of 8 and a Scopus h-index of 6. He is president of the South African Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and as such, advocates for the subspecialty on both national and international platforms. He is recognised as a national medico-legal expert witness in the field of paediatric ophthalmology and actively supports the regional Schools for the Blind and the local League of Friends for the Blind crèche for visually impaired children.
He has forged and strengthened affiliations with Cybersight and ORBIS International, the International Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Council (IPOSC) and the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus (WSPOS) and has secured funding from these organisations to help support local education and training within his subspecialty.
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Dr Leandri Linde
MBChB (UFS) | Dip.Ophth(SA) | FC.Ophth(SA) | MMED.Ophth(UCT)
Dr Leandri Linde is a qualified medical specialist in ophthalmology, with a heart for people and a love for medicine. She completed her training at the University of Cape Town in 2022 and was awarded the national Justin van Selm Medal as the highest achiever.
She has over 10 years of experience in ophthalmology having worked in several eye units across the country; after obtaining her general practitioner’s degree at the University of the Free State, and her Masters degree in Medicine at the University of Cape Town.
She furthered her specialisation by completing a SASOPS (South African Society of Oculoplastic Surgery) accredited fellowship at the University of Cape Town; now focusing on plastic- and reconstructive surgery in and around the eye - including oculotumour, nasolacrimal surgery and aesthetic medicine.
Dr Linde also has a special interest in cornea and ocular surface reconstruction, and gained invaluable experience in corneal transplantation and surface reconstructive surgery during her training at Groote Schuur Hospital.
Her hobbies include archery, art, cycling with her husband and skateboarding with their two beautiful Samoyeds.
Dr Linde is a member in good standing at the HPCSA, CMSA, SASOPS, MPS, and resonates with the Latin motto of her colleagues at the Ophthalmic Society of South Africa: “Lux et Vita”; promoting enlightenment and life.
Dr Eric Albrecht
Dr Eric Albrecht is a qualified and registered Ophthalmologist and a Fellow of the College Of Ophthalmologists since 2010. He obtained his MBChB in 1997 from University of Stellenbosch. He began his ophthalmology training in Scotland for a year before accepting a medical officer post in Eerste River Hospital in 2004 and specialised at UCT/Groote Schuur from 2005-2010 obtaining a MMED (Ophthalmology) and FCOPHTH (SA).
With a military background, he joined 2 Military Hospital full time, while remaining involved in registrar training/teaching at UCT/Groote Schuur Hospital. He initiated the Medical Retina service at Groote Schuur Hospital in 2010 and retains his consultancy post where he works every Tuesday morning.
He also volunteers every alternate week at Eerste River Hospital for cataract surgery as well as a medical retina service. He has a passion for Medical Retina diseases and attends the European School of Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology annually. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Grace Vision - a faith-based NGO offering eye care services and cataract surgery in the rural Eastern Cape. He is also a volunteer cataract surgeon for the Radiance Foundation (cataract Surgery in Cape Town) as well as for the Gift of the Givers.
Dr David Steven
Dr David Steven is a qualified ophthalmologist, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Originally from New Zealand, he graduated from Otago Medical School MBChB with distinction. He specialised in ophthalmology, gaining Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO) in 2004.
Married to a South African, he moved to Cape Town in 2006 and helped to establish the highly successful eye clinic at Eerste River Hospital. Aware of the burden of glaucoma and cataracts in Southern Africa, he completed a glaucoma fellowship at St Thomas’ Hospital in London in 2015 under Professor Sheng K Lim.
He is the Head of Department at Eerste River Hospital, consults in the Glaucoma service at Groote Schuur Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town. He works extensively with the Radiance Foundation and Gift of the Givers to provide additional cataract services.
When he has some free time he enjoys mountain biking, music, especially African Jazz, and hiking.
Keri Lambooy
Keri Lambooy is a registered dietitian with a BSc in Dietetics from Stellenbosch University. She has a special interest in sports nutrition, disease-specific nutrition, and women's health, Keri is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health and peak performance through evidence-based, no-nonsense nutrition strategies.
With a focus on providing clear, actionable guidance, she works with clients to develop personalised nutrition plans that cater to their unique needs—whether enhancing athletic performance, managing metabolic conditions, or improving overall well-being. Her practice emphasises sustainable, science-backed solutions, ensuring that clients can make long-lasting changes without the overwhelm of fad diets or complex regimens.
Keri’s approach integrates a holistic understanding of health, addressing both immediate goals and long-term vitality. By prioritising practical, sustainable strategies, she empowers her clients to take control of their health and achieve lasting results.
Annerine Van Der Merwe
Annerine is our senior Skincare Therapist. She was born and raised in Pretoria, the Jacaranda City of South Africa. She obtained a National Certificate in Cosmetology from the Tshwane North College as well as a Diploma in Beauty Therapy from the City and Guilds of London Institute. In 2011, she was awarded “Manager of the Year” at the prestigious SA Professional Beauty Awards. Annerine has been in the industry for more than 15 years with local as well as international experience, working in London, the United States, Seychelles, and South Africa. Annerine prides herself in creating, guiding, and accompanying her clients through bespoke skin treatment plans, to ensure lasting results and a high level of service, start to finish.
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OUR PRACTICE MANAGERS
Shelley Johnson
Foreshore
Bridget de Beer
Blaauwberg
SUPPORT STAFF
Amy Daly
Optometrist
Anke de Wet
Ophthalmic Technician
Claire Thurston
Reception
Esinam Wutoh
Receptionist
Fatima Lazarus
Ophthalmic Technician
Julie Alexander
Optometrist
Laylah Leukes
Reception
Leon Papenfus
Ophthalmic Technician
Mauricia Allison
Administration
Monique Grové
Ophthalmic Technician
Naadhira Sodoms
Ophthalmic Technician
Nelisa Mpopoma
Administration
Siba Zilindile
Reception
Thina Nelo
Reception
Unathi Bam
Administration
"Knowledge is love and light and vision."
- Helen Keller