Dr Aleksic - Poor Client Care/ Post Operative Complications

In March/April 2023, I underwent cataract surgery performed by Dr. Aleksic using Zeiss Toric IOLs. While I was very satisfied with the Cape Peninsula Eye Clinic, my experience with Dr. Aleksic’s advice, treatment, and post-operative care left much to be desired.

Negative Outcomes Post-Surgery Following the surgery, I developed Negative Dystopia in my left eye - a constant dark, arc-shaped shadow or curtain in my peripheral vision, that worsens in bright light and gives the sensation of my eyes being different sizes, although they are not. This has significantly impacted my quality of life, especially since my left eye had good vision prior to the procedure. When I initially suggested treating only my right eye, I was advised against it and told that I wouldn’t be happy with the results unless both eyes were treated. Unfortunately, this advice proved detrimental.

Pre-Operative Concerns Ignored Before the surgery, I informed Dr. Aleksic about my allergy to preservatives. Despite this, the pre-operative prescription included sodium benzoate, which could have triggered an allergic reaction. This oversight was concerning and avoidable.

Post-Operative Care Issues After the first surgery, I experienced severe discomfort and contacted the practice multiple times for assistance. Instead of being asked to come in for an examination, I was repeatedly reassured that the discomfort was normal and would subside within a few days. At my next appointment, it was revealed that the issue was caused by a loose eyelash—something that could have been resolved immediately had I been examined earlier. The second surgery went smoother but still left me with Negative Dystopia in my left eye. Over the following months, I was repeatedly told that this issue would resolve on its own and even advised to "try not to think about it," as though it were a psychological issue rather than a physical one.

Second Opinions from Other Specialists Seeking further clarity, I consulted two other ophthalmologists for second opinions: 1. One specialist stated they would never have recommended lens replacement for my left eye and believed that the lens used by Dr. Aleksic was oversized, causing the Negative Dystopia. 2. Another—a highly reputable German surgeon—suggested remedial work to address the issue. In April 2024, I wrote to Dr. Aleksic with these suggestions but received no response ! It is now two years post surgery.

Concerns About Lens Choice I’ve since learned from other local surgeons that Dr. Aleksic is one of the few—if not the only—surgeon in Cape Town using Zeiss Toric IOLs. These lenses reportedly have a higher incidence of complications (like Negative Dystopia compared to other options and are not recommended by most local specialists. Additionally, removing these lenses is reportedly more complicated than others due to their tendency to shatter during extraction.

Impersonal Practice Environment Although Dr. Aleksic’s practice is visually impressive with state-of-the-art equipment, patient care felt substandard. The process seemed rushed and impersonal, with patients shuffled between rooms like cars on an assembly line and staff changing at every step. One staff member was particularly rude during my visits, which added to the overall negative experience.

Cost vs Care Excluding hospital costs, Dr. Aleksic's bill came to approximately R140,000—a steep price for what I consider subpar treatment.

Additional Observations By chance, I recently met another patient of Dr. Aleksic who complained about poor eyesight post-surgery but assumed her case was unusual and did not pursue further action. This makes me wonder how many other cases have required correction by other surgeons following procedures by Dr. Aleksic. Furthermore, as far as I understand, Dr. Aleksic never reported my case to Zeiss, raising concerns about the accuracy of their side effects/complications statistics.

Final Thoughts This experience taught me not to judge a book by its cover. While Dr. Aleksic’s practice may look sophisticated, I regret not choosing a different ophthalmologist who might have provided better advice and care—even if their facilities were less flashy or their fees more affordable. If you are considering cataract surgery with Dr. Aleksic: • Seek a second opinion before proceeding. • Consider other practices where patient care and post-operative support are prioritized over appearances and profit.