Ophthalmology

About

Although the eye is a small organ, it is very complex and additional expertise is required to cover the many diseases and problems that can affect each part of the eye.

Consultants in our ophthalmology service have sub-specialty expertise that cover every part of the eye and along with our ophthalmic trained nursing establishment we aim to offer the very best ophthalmic care possible.

Our ophthalmology services include:

• outpatients
• inpatients
• day-case
• inpatient surgery
• 24-hour eye A&E service

New patients are usually seen in our rapid access clinics and general ophthalmic clinics. These are then channelled through to sub-specialist ophthalmic clinics providing state-of-the-art treatment for any condition that can affect the eye.

The Western Eye and Charing Cross hospitals also serve as tertiary referral centres for the whole of West London and beyond. 

Sub specialties

• Ophthalmology accident and emergency
• Orthoptics and visual fields

Conditions and treatments

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) and medical retina service (Macula Suite)

We have specialised facilities that are dedicated to the care of these patients including a minor surgery suite where patients receive their ARMD eye injections.

Other treatments include:

• retinal laser treatment
• photodynamic therapy
• intravitreal drug therapy
• close working with the vitreoretinal service for patients requiring surgical retina input
• patients referred with wet macular degeneration are now seen, diagnosed and treated within two weeks of GP or direct optometrist referral via our dedicated fast-track fax or online referral pathways 

Surgical retina and uveitis service

The sub-specialty retinal service covers most if not all pathology related to the retina and vitreous. There are dedicated retinal clinics as well as specific uveitis clinics and vitreoretinal clinics. The surgical vitreoretinal service is the tertiary referral centre for retinal detachments and other retinal conditions requiring surgery for the whole of west London.

Diabetic retinopathy service

As part of the medical retina service, the diagnosis, management and treatment of diabetic retinopathy is also carried out at Charing Cross and Western Eye hospitals.

Glaucoma

The glaucoma service at the Western Eye Hospital is a tertiary referral centre and offers sub-specialty glaucoma clinics with state-of-the-art imaging facilities able to assess and monitor patients in detail.

It is also the only centre in London offering endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP), an innovative way of treating patients who are not adequately controlled with medical treatment alone.

Cornea and anterior segment

Our cornea and anterior segment service provides sub-specialist clinics and tailored surgical solutions for all problems related to the cornea (front window of the eye), iris and lens. Contemporary surgical techniques including partial thickness corneal transplantation are performed at the Western Eye Hospital.

The corneal service is one of only two centres in London offering modern excimer laser treatment and is a tertiary referral centre for the whole of west London and beyond.

Oculoplastics

Our oculoplastic service provides sub-specialty clinics and surgical management for the whole spectrum of eyelid, tear duct orbital related disorders in both adults and children.

The department pioneered the use of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), a minimally invasive surgical technique for symptomatic patients with blocked tear ducts.

Neuro-ophthalmology and ocular motility

Neuro-ophthalmology and adult strabismus clinics are run at both Charing Cross and Western Eye hospitals, working closely with our neurology and neuro-surgical colleagues.

Paediatrics and strabismus

Paediatric ophthalmology clinics are currently held at the St Mary’s Hospital campus with operations if necessary performed at the Western Eye Hospital on dedicated paediatric theatre lists.

Additional information

There is a strong emphasis on teaching within the ophthalmology department and this is directed at trainee ophthalmologists, fellows, medical students and general practitioners. Ophthalmologists across west London attend the weekly Western Eye Regional teaching sessions.

Research within the ophthalmology department has been presented both nationally and internationally with numerous publications in the peer reviewed literature.

The Imperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG) has been developed to coordinate all research done within the department and are currently participating in national and multi-national studies.

Imperial Private Healthcare

We also offer private patient treatment at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

All funds generated by Imperial Private Healthcare are reinvested in the NHS Trust, and are used to support and enhance both NHS and private clinical services for the benefit of all our patients.

For more information, please visit ophthalmology on the Imperial Private Healthcare website.

Further online resources

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists received its Royal Charter in 1988 and its functions are numerous including maintaining proper standards in the practice of ophthalmology for the benefit of the public as well as defining and monitoring programmes of education and training for the ophthalmologists of the future. The website contains an abundance of useful information on eye conditions and treatments as well as the latest news on developments in the field of ophthalmology.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

The RNIB is a registered charity that helps and supports blind and partially sighted individuals. There are numerous ways in which individuals can get involved with the  charity’s work and the website also has a very informative section on numerous common eye conditions.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology EyeSmart Page

This is a great resource for patients with an A-Z directory of eye conditions, common symptoms that patients may experience as well as general eye advice.

Imperial College Ophthalmology Research Group

The Imperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG), coordinates all ophthalmology research done within the Department of Surgery and Cancer and Western Eye Hospital and promotes multidisciplinary research and collaborations within and outside Imperial College.