Ophthalmology

Our highly-skilled ophthalmologists have vast experience in general ophthalmology. They diagnose and treat common complaints including:

Cataracts

A cataract is a common eye condition in which the lens inside the eye loses its transparency. The lens is the part of the eye that helps to focus light on the retina, the light-sensitive layer on which images are formed. In healthy eyes, the lens is clear and allows light to pass through. When the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the images appear blurred, a bit like looking through a dirty window.

Diabetic eye disease

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems that can affect people with diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Over time, diabetes can cause damage to your eyes that can lead to poor vision or even blindness.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition that affects the middle part of your vision. It usually first affects people in their 50s. It doesn't cause total blindness, but it can make things like reading and recognising faces difficult. Without treatment, your vision may get worse. This can happen gradually over several years, before it can then get worse quickly over a few weeks or months.

Vitreoretinal surgery

You would typically have vitreoretinal surgery (often a procedure called a vitrectomy) to treat serious conditions affecting the retina, macula, or the clear, jelly-like vitreous fluid inside the eye. The main goal is to repair damage, clear vision obstructions, or prevent permanent vision loss.

Epiretinal membrane

An epiretinal membrane is a condition where a very thin layer of scar tissue forms on the surface of the retina, most importantly at the macula where the vision is sharpest. When an epiretinal membrane forms over the macula, it may tighten and crumple up the macula resulting in distorted and/or blurred vision.

Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. It causes symptoms like eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss, making early diagnosis and treatment critical.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, typically caused by a harmful buildup of fluid pressure inside the eye

Ocuplastics

Oculoplastics is a sub-specialty of ophthalmology focusing on the structures around the eye, including the eyelids, tear ducts, and eye socket (orbit

Paediatric ophthalmology

Our team are skilled in seeing children with certain eye conditions, including strabismus (child squint) and amblyopia (commonly known as 'lazy eye').
 

Our highly-skilled ophthalmologists have vast experience in general ophthalmology. They diagnose and treat common complaints including:

Aqueous shunt surgery

This involves implanting a device in the eye to improve fluid drainage, helping to lower intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma.

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is a safe, painless, 15-to-30-minute outpatient procedure where a clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Performed under local anesthesia, it is the only way to treat cataracts and successfully restore clear vision for most patients.

iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass

This is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device designed to lower pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Laser trabeculoplasty

This is a minimally invasive procedure to treat glaucoma, and lowers the pressure within the eye to help preserve vision.

Trabeculectomy

A trabeculectomy is a common, minimally invasive eye surgery used to treat glaucoma. It lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) by creating a new drainage pathway in the eye, allowing excess fluid to bypass blocked channels, drain into a small, hidden blister under the eyelid, and prevent further vision loss.

YAG laser capsulotomy

A YAG capsulotomy is a special laser treatment used to improve the vision after cataract surgery. It is a simple, commonly performed procedure which is very safe. The laser creates a small, clear opening in the center of the cloudy capsule, allowing light to reach the retina clearly again.

YAG laser peripheral iridotomy

Treats or prevents acute angle-closure glaucoma. This condition happens when the drainage angle in the eye is blocked, causing a rapid and dangerous spike in eye pressure. The laser creates a microscopic, invisible hole in the outer edge (periphery) of the iris (the colored part of the eye). This allows intraocular fluid to bypass blockages, balance the pressure, and flow freely to the drainage canals.

The first step for any patient is usually an initial consultation. Unless your GP or insurer has told you otherwise, you should book your first appointment with a member of our ophthalmology team.

Our ophthalmology consultants are listed below, where there are more details of their areas of clinical interest and appointment times. Alternatively, please call our dedicated team of friendly advisors on 020 8546 6677.

At Kingston Private Health, you can either use your private health insurance or pay for your own treatment.