Orthoptics and visual fields
Visitor Information
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The orthoptic service provides diagnosis and treatment of eye movement disorders and visual development problems in adults.
Patients may attend with sudden eye symptoms, for example double vision. The orthoptist investigates the cause, treats the immediate symptoms, refers for further investigations if indicated and makes a long-term management plan.
Visual fields assessments use the Humphrey Analyser and Goldmann Perimeter and can take place at either Western Eye or Charing Cross hospitals.
Children are assessed and treated for visual development conditions such as amblyopia and strabismus within the children’s ophthalmology service at St Mary’s Hospital.
Conditions and treatments
The conditions we treat include:
- Ocular muscle palsies from infra nuclear and supra nuclear disorders
- Mechanical eye movement disorder due to medical disease or trauma
- Acquired sudden visual field loss due to neurological disease
- Longstanding eye movement disorders starting in childhood
- Double vision using exercises, prisms or occlusion
Clinics
Visual fields department at Western Eye Hospital
Address
First floor
Western Eye Hospital
171 Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5QH
Contact information
Phone: 020 3312 3256
Email: ICHC-tr.Orthoptics@nhs.net
Eye clinic at Charing Cross Hospital
Address
First floor
South Wing
Charing Cross Hospital
Fulham Palace Road
London
W6 8RF
Hours
08.30 to 16.30, Monday through Friday.
Contact information
Phone: 020 3312 3256
Email: ICHC-tr.Orthoptics@nhs.net
Additional information
Please note as we work across two sites there may be times when no one is present to take your call. If you leave a message we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Effective treatment relies on regular attendance at the clinics, appointments with us are in high demand. If you know you can’t use the appointment time given to you, please call our booking centre on 020 3312 3209 to rebook your appointment.
Meet the team
Deputy head orthoptist
Rima Gokani - MMedSci Orthoptics BSc(Hons)
Orthoptists
Madeline Lawton
Jamie Spofforth
Keely Penalver
Laura Smith
Visual Field Technician
Jassim Hussain
Mahjabin Syeda
Patient information
Before your appointment
New patients will be seen six to eight weeks from referral. You are welcome to bring a relative, close friend or carer with you to your appointment, though please note accompanying children are not allowed in the visual fields room.
Please bring with you all of your own glasses, a copy of the prescription from your optician and the name and address of your GP. It is helpful if you can ask family members if a similar eye problem has occurred in your extended family.
Effective treatment relies on regular attendance at the clinics, appointments with us are in high demand so please cancel and rebook if you know you can’t use the appointment time given to you by calling our booking centre on 020 3312 3209.
During your appointment
At Western Eye Hospital there is no receptionist, please go to the first floor automatic check in machine and sit in the visual fields waiting room. When you self check-in please check your details on the system are up to date so we can keep you informed about changes to clinics.
At Charing Cross Hospital please check in at the eye clinic reception on the first floor in the south wing and take a seat in the eye clinic waiting room.
If an orthoptist has not called after 30 minutes please ask a member of staff if there is a delay.
Appointment times will vary depending on the reason for your visit:
- Visual field appointments take 15 to 30 minutes. During this appointment you will sit and stare at a central spot and click a button when you see lights flash anywhere in your vision
- Orthoptist appointments take between 40 to 90 minutes. During this appointment you will have a vision test, a check for squints and eye movement problems by looking at targets and different distances and in different positions
- Orthoptist and ophthalmologist appointments will take up to two hours
Please note that we are a teaching hospital, so medical students, pre-registration optometrist and orthoptic students may be present for some appointments. If you do not wish to have them in the room please let the orthoptist know and the students will be asked to step outside.
After your appointment
A follow up appointment will be part of the management plan discussed with you after diagnosis.
Refer to this service
Please refer patients via the GP to the ocular motility clinic via the NHS e-Referrals (ERS).
We provide services in the following locations at the Trust
Western Eye Hospital
Orthoptic department
Western Eye Hospital
Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5QH
GP advice
Phone: 020 3312 3256 (please leave a message)
Charing Cross Hospital
Orthoptist
Eye Clinic
First floor
South wing
Charing Cross Hospital
Fulham Palace Road
W6 8RF
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