Services

Macular Degeneration (wet and dry); other macular/retinal Pathology retinal vein occlusion; arterial occlusion, central serous retinopathy, Diabetic Retinopathy; choroidal naevus; monitoring of hydroxychloroquine; sickle cell retinopathy screening; uveitis-

Some patients may require injections for certain conditions such as wet macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic maculopathy and retinopathy, we have a dedicated team of clinical nurse specialists and doctors who run these clinics both at County and Royal Stoke 

Keratoconus; cornea injuries/foreign body injuries; pterygium, corneal transplant surgery; special contact lens fitting; microbial keratitis; corneal dystrophies; corneal and conjunctival pathology dry eye disease

We have a dedicated Poswillo Cataract Suite where we operate on most of our patients as routine local anaesthesia; we also operate in the main theatres for patients requiring general anaesthetic.

Following your diabetic eye screening episode you may be referred to one of the hospital eyes clinics for further assessment. When you attend you will require pupil dilation so we can examine the retina (back of the eye) adequately. (more information about these drops can be found here (link to leaflet).

You may also need other investigations so your appointment may take some time. This examination will usually identify if you need any further treatment to your eyes such as laser treatment. Laser treatment is recommended to stabilize your diabetic retinopathy and aims to preserve your eye sight. Further information about the types of laser we can do can be found here.

In some cases, you may present with more centralised leakage at the macula (centre of the retina which deals with your more detailed vision), if so, we will discuss other treatments that may be recommended, such as a course of injections into your eye which can help to stabilize the leakage and your vision.

In some cases, your retinopathy may need regular monitoring, this is so watch for any changes that may need the treatment we have mentioned.

• Double vision
• Botulinum Toxin Clinic for Strabismus –
• Squint (Strabismus) 
• Nystagmus 

Monitoring and assessment of glaucoma; glaucoma surgery such as trabeculectomy

Vitreo-retinal service; macular hole repair surgery; retinal detachment surgery; epiretinal membrane peel; submacular haemorrhage; posterior vitreous detachment

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We have 2 Paediatric Ophthalmology Consultants who see mostly children and babies for various eye conditions and surgery. They also see some adult patients. We also have a dedicated Paediatric/Ophthalmic trained Clinical Nurse Specialist who also sees children for their eye conditions. This paediatric service is closely linked with our orthoptic department. More information about the orthoptic department within ophthalmology can be found here –Orthoptics | University Hospitals of North Midlands 

Contact lens clinics; low vision clinics for provision of visual aids as required- both these clinics are run by our specialist optometrists 

Orthoptics 

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• Cycloplegic refraction for glasses, if medically required

• Assessment of visual development

Patients are seen here with a variety of emergency and intermediate problems of the eye and vision.  This clinic is open Monday to Sunday, weekdays 8-6 and weekends 8:30-2 on Saturdays and 8:30-12 on Sundays. We also run an out of hours service with on-call ophthalmologists and A&E

Emergency Eye Clinic attendance is usually an appointment only service- we accept emergency referrals from opticians, GPs and internal referrals such as in-patient wards, we also run a telephone service whereby we will give advice to patients ringing with eye or visual problems to triage. Our Emergency Eye Clinical Nurse Specialist has 2 telephone clinics whereby she will contact patients to ensure they do not require follow-up in the emergency clinic

We are an experienced team of two, providing personalised, non-medical support tailored to the individual needs of each patient. We offer consultations both face-to-face and via telephone, delivering bespoke advice and assistance. Our role is to provide practical and emotional support to patients and their families.

As ECLOs, we support those diagnosed with an eye condition, helping patients and their families to understand the diagnosis and cope with sight loss in both practical and emotional ways.

We engage in open and honest discussions regarding the everyday activities that may cause frustration and anxiety for individuals experiencing varying degrees of sight loss. We aim to support patients in maintaining and enhancing their independence for as long as possible.

The team also assists with the Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) registration process, enabling patients to be formally recognised as sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired. Furthermore, we facilitate an in-house vision clinic that assesses and supplies magnifying aids, working closely alongside nursing staff, consultants, and external agencies.

Although based within the hospital, we serve as a vital link between hospital care and community services. Acting as a liaison, we connect patients with health services, community organisations, and social care providers, including SSL, the Stroke Association, RNIB, and Diabetes Support Groups. Through signposting, the distribution of informational leaflets, and the provision of contact details, we guide patients to a wide range of local and national services tailored to specific eye conditions.

We are here to listen and provide support to you and your family as you navigate the emotional impact of sight loss. We operate an open-door policy, so no appointment is necessary. You can find us in the Eye Department, Main Building at UHNM. Please remember to knock before entering!

Eye lid malposition – ptosis, entropion, ectropion; eye lid cysts/lumps, Eye tumours, enucleation/evisceration; Thyroid eye disease (jointly with endocrine consultant), artificial eye service jointly with AE team – link to external service; check correct web sitehttps://www.naes.nhs.uk/ eyelash removal (epilation nurse-led service), watery eyes, lacrimal/tear duct problems, Botulinum Toxin clinics, blepharitis; surveillance following eye tumour treatment;

laser photocoagulation; for diabetic retinopathy; diabetic maculopathy; retinal tears; YAG capsulotomy; YAG PI

Ideopathic-intercranial Hypertension (IIH); optic disc abnormalities; optic nerve problems i.e optic neuritis; optic atrophy; visual complications following cerebral vascular disease or trauma

We have a dedicated team of Speciality Doctors and nurses who will assess you for your cataract surgery when you have been referred. The assessment involves looking at your cataract and discussing with you your surgery should you wish to proceed. The team of nurses will then assess you with a special camera and go through the operation in some detail. You will be given a date for surgery after this usually by letter

Here is an animated video to show you how cataract surgery is generally done:

The preassessment team will also assess you for other surgical procedures such as vitreo-retinal surgery, glaucoma, lid and cornea surgery. You may also be required to be assessed by the ‘Pre-ams’ team particularly if you require general anaesthesia and this appointment may we ll be separate from the eye clinic pre-assessment appointment