Dr Andre K Theron
MBBCh, MMed(Opth), FCS(SA), FRANZCO
Dr Andre Theron is a specialist ophthalmologist who joined the Vision Centre team in 2003.
He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1988.
After completing his time as an intern and medical officer, he began his national service in the South African Defence Force as a lieutenant and medical officer in 32 Battalion (The Buffalo Battalion). He served the soldiers and local civilians and became familiar with the injuries of war gaining much general medical experience.
He started his Registrar training at the University of Natal, Durban, where he completed his Master's Degree in Ophthalmology, as well as his Fellowship of the South African College of Surgeons (Ophthalmology) examinations. During this time, as a consultant, he was involved at a state level in developing outreach programs in rural, under privileged communities for cataract surgery and eye care. His dissertation for his Masters involved research into the impact of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus on the eye in HIV positive patients and its correlation to CD4 and CD8 cell counts. He also performed research in areas regarding antimetabolite use in glaucoma surgery.
He was awarded a scholarship to complete a Master's Degree in Ophthalmology at the University College of London. This did not come to pass however, as he moved to Australia when he was offered a position at the Gold Coast Hospital in 1998. This was an area of need and was underserviced. Through his efforts, a formal Department of Ophthalmology was established which was accredited for the training of Ophthalmology Registrars. Drs Walker and Vu were amongst many doctors that worked under his guidance. This department and its registrar training continues today and has expanded significantly since then. He was a site investigator, at the hospital, for the multinational FIELD and DIRECT diabetes studies.In 2002, he became a Senior Registrar at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne where he completed a General Ophthalmology Fellowship and his Australian exams (FRANZCO) . He returned to the Gold Coast Hospital and worked as a full time specialist until becoming a VMO when he joined the Vision Centre. He has worked for many years in Moree, New South Wales, as part of the Vision Centre Rural Outreach Service.
Dr Andre Theron has substantial experience in cataract surgery, including the use of Toric (astigmatic) lenses and extended vision lenses (Restor, Symfony, Synergy and Vivity) lenses, as well as Toric versions of these. He also has extensive experience in managing glaucoma (including the insertion of iStent implants), macular degeneration, retinal artery and vein occlusions and pterygiums. He performs lid procedures for excess skin (blepharoplasty) as well as for in-turned eyelids (entropion) and out-turned eyelids (ectropion) as well as minor lid procedures. He performs intravitreal injections for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and vein occlusions both in-rooms and in-theatre. He has a keen interest in neuro ophthalmology.
He is still involved with student teaching both from Bond and Griffith Universities and is in practice both at the Vision Centre in Southport and at the Vision Centre Robina offices at the HQ building.