Born and educated in Johannesburg, South Africa. Engineering background and attended Medical School at the University of Witwatersrand with specialist training at Baragwanath Hospital, Moorfields Hospital in London and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary as a Clinical Fellow and research scientist specializing in retinal diseases and surgery and glaucoma.
Developed cryosurgery for cataracts and retinal detachments during 1962 at Baragwanath hospital in Soweto which culminating in the gaseous expansion Joule Thompson Cryoprobe in 1965 using carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide, which revolutionized cataract and retinal surgery. Established fundamental thermodynamic basis of retinal cryosurgery by both engineering and clinical trials. Textbook in Cryosurgery and Ophthalmology in 1975 published by Pitman, London and Year Book Publishers, New York contained all accumulated data from 1962.
Private practice in Johannesburg since 1969 with hospital appointments at Baragwanath Hospital and Natalspruit Hospital where as director of cryosurgical research he expanded a multitude of ocular treatments and developed cryosurgery for gynaecology, thoracic and heart surgery, haemorrhoids, plantar warts, dentistry, dermatology, veterinary medicine, etc.
At present is Director of “Innovation Africa” for the development of new inventions and technologies in all fields of human endeavour.
Pioneering work done in fibreoptic intraocular illumination for goniotomy and removal of dislocated lenses from the vitreous in 1967. Further scientific work done in the treatment of Herpes Keratitis with cryosurgery and immunotherapy. Cataract surgery aspiration devices especially designed for third world were constructed. Developed first diamond vitrectomy cutters in 1970 using hollow diamonds in South Africa.
Developed centration and fixation devices as well as introducing microscopic control of blade depth essential for accuracy in Radial Keratotomy. Invented Ovalometer to control astigmatism after cataract surgery and corneal grafting.
Started a prospective clinical trial with the Rotary Epithelial Scrubber in January 1994 to be used with chilled BSS and 7-mm, multizonal (including a peripheral blend zone) interrupted pass technique in Photo-Reactive keratectomy. This has greatly improved results in the treatment of myopia and astigmatism. Pioneered the use of the epithelial scrubber in the treatment of Hyperopia in conjunction with Canadian surgeons.
Demonstrated the superiority of scanning PRK over broad beam PRK. Pioneered the use of mitomycin in the prevention and treatment of subepithelial haze after PRK.
Began a study on Keratectasia after LASIK in 1995 with first of numerous international presentation and papers at ASCRS meeting in Seattle in April 1999.
Published 50 scientific papers, a chapter in a book, as well as given numerous lectures throughout the world over 30 years.
Awards include “One of the Four Outstanding Young Men” in South Africa in 1968, the Queens Award for Technological Innovation in London as well as the Medal of Honour from the Academy of Applied Science in association with M.I.T. and Harvard. Ophthalmic Surgeon to President Nelson Mandela since 1994.

The Masterpieces and Discoveries