About the Eye Centre
The Eye Centre is a specialist ophthalmology practice located in Belgravia, East London. When you visit us, all of your eye care needs can be met on our campus.
The Eye Centre is owned by the ophthalmologists (eye specialists) who are ably assisted by a team of caring nurses, optometrists, ophthalmic assistants and administrative staff. Our practice is situated next door to East London Day Hospital, where our ophthalmologists perform all of their eye surgery.
We look forward to taking care of you at our attractive campus, housed in heritage buildings and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Olive & Earth, our coffee shop, and our Pharmacy @ The Eye Centre are recent additions to enhance your experience.
An important part of our philosophy is a commitment to making high quality eye care available to the broader community. The African Eye Foundation was established as an extension of the practice, and focuses on research and training as well as providing low cost and free surgery to patients in greatest need.
Your team of eye care specialists
At The Eye Centre, we work together as a comprehensive team to support you every step of the way through your eye care journey. Our team consists of ophthalmologists, optometrists, medical officers, ophthalmic nurses, admin staff, maintenance staff, etc. all working to create the warm and helpful environment where you and your eye care needs are put first.
Ophthalmologists
Dr Andrew Boliter
Ophthalmologist
Andrew grew up in the Eastern Cape and did his undergraduate and post-graduate medical studies at the University of Cape Town, qualifying as an ophthalmologist in 1997. He returned to East London in 1998 and worked at Frere Hospital and the Fred Hollows Foundation until 2002.
Since then, he has been part of the Eye Centre team. His ophthalmology interests have spanned cataract and refractive surgery, corneal grafts, vitreoretinal surgery and paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. He is a past-president of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa, is a current vice-president of the African Ophthalmology Council and is member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and numerous South African ophthalmology societies
He is passionate about building the ophthalmology profession and ensuring that the Eye Centre continues to provide a world class service to its patients and the community in the capable hands of a younger generation of ophthalmologists.
Dr Merrick Bryans
Ophthalmologist
Dr Merrick Lloyd Bryans was born in Johannesburg and raised in Port Elizabeth. He completed his MBChB at the University of Cape Town in 2011 before specialising in Ophthalmology at Walter Sisulu University, based at Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital, where he completed his specialist training in 2022.
He joined The Eye Centre in 2023. His clinical interests include anterior segment surgery, cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma management and vitreoretinal disease. Dr Bryans is committed to delivering thorough, patient-centred care, integrating modern surgical techniques and evidence-based practice across a broad spectrum of ophthalmic conditions.
Merrick is a member of the South African Medical Association and the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa.
Dr Stephen Cook
Ophthalmologist
Stephen qualified with an MBChB degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1989. He later specialised in ophthalmology, qualifying with a Fellowship (FCS) from the College of Medicine of South Africa in 1997. He joined The Eye Centre in 1997. He was awarded a Fellow of Glaucoma Surgery (FGS) by the ICGS in 2020.
Dr Cook has had many roles over the course of his career. His current role is that of Senior partner and group CEO. His current focus is on developing screening, clinical, and surgical pathways to meet the need of the community for access to high quality healthcare and developing the means to use this for training, skills transfer and capacity building.
Over the course of his career he has had a broad range of clinical and research interests. He has been a member and exco member of a number of national and international societies. His partnership with Dr Andrew Boliter has been responsible for founding the African Eye Foundation and East London Day Hospital.
Dr Erika Kleynhans
Ophthalmologist
Erika is originally from East London. She completed her MBChB at the University of the Free State in 2008. She obtained her Diploma in Ophthalmology in 2012 and later completed her specialist training, qualifying as an ophthalmologist in 2019.
She joined The Eye Centre in 2018 as a GP and completed her fellowship exams while working in the practice. Her clinical interests include cataract surgery, ocular surface disease, uveitis, and ocular tumours.
Erika is a member of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the International Society of Refractive Surgery.
Dr Graeme Knight
Ophthalmologist
Graeme grew up in Durban before he studied medicine at the University of Cape Town, graduating in 2011. He spent 5 years working in ophthalmology in rural Eswatini (Swaziland) obtaining his diploma in ophthalmology in 2016. He completed his specialist ophthalmology training at UKZN in Durban in 2025 while working at McCord and Inkosi Albert Luthuli hospitals.
He joined The Eye Centre in 2026 and is committed to compassionate and excellent eye care.
Our medical team
Medical Officer
Medical Officer
Medical Officer
Optometrist
Optometrist
Optometrist