Ophthalmology

What we do

To protect our patients, staff and the community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we have made changes to our services.

We have replaced our emergency walk-in service with a video consultation service for people with eye emergencies. Patients already under the care of the King’s Ophthalmology team with urgent queries can also contact us using the details below.

Emergency Eye Service

Our video emergency eye service is for people who live in south east London and have an eye problem that they are concerned might threaten their sight. You can speak to a doctor by video, who will assess if you need to be seen in person for treatment.

The service is not for routine queries. If you have a minor eye condition please contact the South East London Minor Eye Conditions Service.

Please read the following before using the emergency eye service:

• We are unable to help you if you live outside the UK, or are not eligible for NHS care.
• If you are under the care of another specialist eye hospital, you must contact them for advice first.
• This service does not replace an ophthalmic examination. It is designed for the doctor to triage your condition first before recommending the most appropriate next steps, which may include an ophthalmic examination.
• Please tell the doctor if you are unwell, have symptoms of coronavirus, or have had any contact with anyone with coronavirus. This will help them direct you to the safest service.

How to use video emergency eye service

Video consultations are available 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Use the link below to start a consultation.

If you have an eye emergency outside of these hours, call NHS 111 or go to your local emergency department.

Start an emergency eye service video consultation

Services for our existing patients

The King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Ophthalmology team see patients at:

• King’s College Hospital
• Lewisham Hospital
• Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich
• and Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup.

If you are an Ophthalmology patient at one of these hospitals and you have an urgent query, you can contact us on:

• King’s College Hospital and Lewisham Hospital patients: 020 3299 3878
• Princess Royal University Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup patients: 020 3961 3436

If you have a minor eye problem please contact the South East London Minor Eye Conditions Service.

Mobile diagnostics unit

To reduce waiting times in the clinic, we have set up a mobile diagnostics unit. The unit is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5pm and is based in the old car park on Bessemer Road.

Glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmic and medical retina patients can have eye tests carried out by technicians in the unit. You will not see a doctor at the unit but all images will be reviewed virtually. If, following the review of the images, it is decided you do need to see a doctor, we will schedule a follow-up appointment in the clinic.

Please call the Glaucoma Secretary on 020 3299 1521 if you have any queries about your appointment in the unit.

Location

Second floor, Normanby Building, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Contact Details

• Urgent King’s College Hospital and Lewisham Hospital patient queries: +44 (0)20 3299 3878
• Urgent PRUH, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup patient queries: +44 (0)20 3961 3436

Patient Information Leaflets

• Blepharitis

Conditions we treat

We diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions, including:

• cataract - congenital and acquired
• glaucoma
• uveitis and other inflammatory eye conditions
• lid abnormalities and lumps and bumps
• diabetic retinopathy
• age-related macular degeneration
• retinal vein and artery occlusions
• genetic retinal disorders
• retinal detachments
• squints
• double vision
• corneal infections
• conjunctivitis
• ophthalmic trauma
• low vision
• difficult contact lens problems
• dry eyes
• neuro-ophthalmology problems.

What is required before referring a patient

Referral notes from optometrist where available.

Medical history and drugs.

Advise patients not to drive to their appointments as they may need investigations involving dilation which will blur their vision and makes it difficult to see in sunlight.

Booking a patient at King's

Routine Referrals

Other healthcare professionals can email routine referrals to kch-tr.KCHReferrals@nhs.net or phone 44 + (0)20 3299 3878.

Emergency Referrals

For urgent referrals, including uveitis and retinal detachments, acute medical conditions and neuro-ophthalmology problems, use NHS e-Referral and state that the referral is urgent.

For emergency referrals:

Daytime - contact the Early Referral Service triage nurse, tel 020 3299 3878.

After hours – contact the 2nd on-call ophthalmic registrar via King’s main switchboard, tel 020 3299 9000.

Or send the patient direct to the Emergency Department.

Other Queries

For all other queries and advice, contact the Ophthalmology Delivery Manager on 020 3299 1845.

Referral Forms

Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required:

• Ophthalmology Rapid Eye Service referral form
• Referrals into King’s Rapid Eye Service - KCH

Key Clinical Staff