About us

Future Plans

The CLSSA is embarking on a program of activity in the contact lens field. We have already participated in a contact lens practice cost analysis together with other major role-players in the industry. This analysis is hoped to provide pertinent information regarding practice management and costing related to contact lens practice in these testing economic times.

A modern style education program is being planned to promote knowledge and practical skill enhancement which could include on-line education, chat groups and video teaching. 

From our recent Contact Connect conference we identified the need for continuous practical hands on education as in the form of a wet lab, this will be implemented as a CLSSA  roadshow.

Keep a look out on this website for future developments.

System • Text and Image

Our Mission

There is still a need for the important role that the Society has to play in the contact lens field. Although there might be some differences in the areas of involvement required, the original goals of the Society remain relevant today. The Constitution of the Society states that the Aims and Objects are, amongst others, the following:

  • To promote the interchange of knowledge and fitting techniques in the field of contact lenses

  • To promote high ethical standards in contact lens practice.

  • To encourage and promote research in all aspects of contact lenses.

  • To act as liason between its members and other related bodies, eg. SAOA , HPCSA, regulatory bodies.

  • To elevate the status of the contact lens practitioner.

  • To create public awareness of contact lenses as a vision correction modality. 

Our History

In 1964 contact lenses were in their infancy as a modality of vision correction in SA. At that time a handful of “pioneer” contact lens practitioners got together to establish the Contact Lens Society of South Africa (CLSSA). The founder members to whom we owe a debt of gratitude are Sid Saks, Brian Saks, Flip Bruwer, Grant Jenkins, Dr Bertie Beiles and Edwin Levey.

In those early days when knowledge of the art and science of contact lens fitting was growing exponentially, the CLSSA played a pivotal role in promoting knowledge and fitting expertise in contact lens practice. From its early beginnings the enthusiasm of the founder members resulted in rapid growth in membership of the Society.

1965 was a watershed year when the Society held its first international congress. Over the years this was followed by numerous successful, well attended congresses where there was joint participation by optometrists, the supply industry to the profession and some ophthalmological colleagues.

Sadly the activities of the Society waned and thanks to Flip Bruwer and some previous office bearers, the activities of the Society were revitalised, only to relapse into a period of inactivity particularly when Flip sadly passed away.

Meet the Executive Team

Company team

Pieter Naudé (President)

Pieter matriculated at Sasolburg High School and already knew back then that he wanted to become an optometrist one day. His mother being a keratoconic...  READ MORE

Company team

Annelize van Zyl (Calander & Events)

Qualified with a B. Optom degree in 2007 at RAU (UJ) and a M. Phil Optom degree at UJ in 2016. She was working with Dr E Sevenster (ophthalmologist) from 2009-2020, where she mainly worked with patients with compromised corneas. ...  READ MORE

Company team

Charl Van Zyl (Finances)

Charl qualified with a B.Optom degree in 2008 at the University of the Free State in South Africa.  

In November 2008 he joined Arnold van der Wat & Associates, an independent private practice in the western suburbs of Port Elizabeth...

. .   READ MORE

Company team

Marilize Le Roux (Secretary)

Marilize completed her B.Optom degree at RAU in 2004, and was awarded the IACLE top contact lens student in final year.  She then...     READ MORE

Company team

Palesa Matsaneng

Palesa qualified with a B.Tech Optometry degree from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in  2008 with a keen interest in contact lenses and ocular pathology.  She began her career working in Gauteng and the Free State...   READ MORE

Company team

Dina Krüger-Bornman (Private Practice & Students)

Dina Krüger-Bornman received her optometry degree from the Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg in 1998.   After graduating she entered private practice where she has worked for several practices ...   READ MORE

Company team

Peter Brauer
(Immediate past- President)

Peter qualified with a Dip.Optom. from Witwatersrand Technikon in 1977 and joined Saks and Taylor Optometrists, one of the oldest practices in the country, where...  READ MORE