Ophthalmology (Eye Doctor)

Ophthalmologists work as part of a multidisciplinary team that include Orthoptists, Optometrists, nursing and administration.

An optometrist is a healthcare provider who has specialised in detecting and correcting conditions that affect vision and eye health.

• Reduced vision due to refractive error (need for glasses).
• Specialist contact lens fitting e.g. congenital cataract, irregular ocular surface, high prescriptions.
• Stable ocular disease.
• Myopia Management.

An Orthoptist is a healthcare provider who has specialised in detecting and correcting conditions that affect vision and eye health

• Strabismus/squint (eye turn/misalignment)
• Reduced vision/vision which is not fully corrected with glasses
• Double vision

Eye movement difficulties or uncoordinated eye movements

The specialised ophthalmology service for children and young people is responsible for treating various conditions such as

• Strabismus / Squint / Crossed eyes
• Amblyopia (Lazy eye )
• Blocked tear ducts
• Cataracts – congenital and developmental
• Glaucoma – congenital, secondary, and juvenile
• Retinoblastoma – a highly malignant intraocular tumour affecting children under five years of age
• Delayed visual maturation
• Refractive errors – myopia (short-sight), hyperopia (long-sight) and astigmatism ( a mixture of long and short–sight)
• Genetic eye conditions
• Congenital abnormalities of the eye
• Infections
• Retinopathy of Prematurity – a potentially blinding condition that affects very premature babies.