Dr Chris Gouws hails from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). He did his undergraduate training at Stellenbosch University, and after enjoying wider experience in surgery as a registrar in the UK, and oncotherapy in Bloemfontein, he trained as an ophthalmologist at the University of the Free State. He obtained the MMed (Ophth) Cum Laude and FCS (Ophth).

He spent two years under the tutelage of Dr Francois Potgieter learning vitreoretinal surgery, which is still his main interest. Dr Gouws also does cataract, glaucoma and corneal transplant surgery. He strives to remain academically active, and from time to time acts as external examiner in the FCS SA(Ophth) and MMed final examinations for doctors who specialise in ophthalmology.

Apart from ophthalmology, he is a mountain biker, does woodwork, and plays the flute. He has an interest in medical ethics, an area in which he often delivers lectures and publishes. Leading from that, he qualified and is registered as a mediator.

Dr Gouws has occupied various positions in professional structures. He was president of the South African Ophthalmological Society, Chairman of the Ophthalmology Management Group, and president of the SA Vitreoretinal Society.