Ophthalmology

What we do

Our team of specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions in adults, young people and children supported by ophthalmic nurses and technicians, orthoptists and photographers.

These include:

• cataracts
• glaucoma
• diabetic retinopathy
• age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• detached retinas
• squints
• corneal infections
• conjunctivitis
• eye injuries.

We provide mainly outpatient care and day surgery, which we carry out in our Day Surgery Centre. We also have clinics at Lewisham Hospital and run children’s clinics in the community.

Preparing for your appointment

You may need to have several investigations when we are diagnosing and treating your condition and these often involve having your eyes dilated with drops. We advise you not to drive to and from your appointments because dilation blurs your vision and makes it difficult to see in sunlight.

Location

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

Contact Details

• Main Reception: +44 (0)20 3299 1845
• Ophthalmology Outpatient Appointments: +44 (0)20 3299 1919

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

GPs should refer via NHS e-referral (e-RS) wherever possible.

Other ways to refer

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:

• Referrals into King’s Rapid Eye Service - KCH

Key Clinical Staff