We have a large outpatient department on A and B Floors in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat building at QMC, from which a range of ophthalmic specialties run clinics. We also run some community-based outpatient clinics at sites around Nottingham.
Please refer to your appointment letter for details of where your appointment will take place.
The Orthoptic Department is in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre on A Floor at QMC.
Orthoptists diagnose and manage disorders of binocular vision. They assess and manage patients of all ages including:
Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 81750
You will need to check in at the main reception desk initially, and will then probably have your vision checked by a patient assistant. You may need to see a number of different staff and have a number of different tests and investigations.
Eye drops that blur your vision may be used, so do not drive to the hospital. The effects of the drops may last up to a day.
The appointment may take up to three hours or more, so please bear this in mind when making transport arrangements.
If you need an interpreter for this appointment, please let us know before you attend.
Please bring the following with you:
Making or changing an appointment
If you no longer need or you would like to change your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible. This may help someone else who is waiting for an appointment. Wasted appointments cost the NHS millions each year.
The Cataract Clinic is based in Eye Outpatients in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre on A-Floor at QMC.
Tel: 0115 849 3353
New patient appointments Tel: 0115 849 3392
Patients experiencing visual problems, for which cataract is suspected as the primary cause, are seen in the clinic and listed for surgery if appropriate. Patients are referred to the cataract clinic via their optometrist (optician) and/or GP.
The aim of the first appointment is to confirm the diagnosis of cataract and establish whether you are suitable for cataract surgery. You will have a comprehensive check of your eye health and will probably see an optometrist, a nurse practitioner and an ophthalmic technician. Some patients may need further assessment by an ophthalmologist and a consultant ophthalmologist is available if necessary.
If you are listed for a cataract operation, we will discuss what this means and what to expect.
Important information: Eye drops that blur your vision will be used at this appointment, so do not drive to the hospital. The effects of the drops may last up to a day.
You will probably need to see a number of different professionals and have a number of measurements taken at the appointment. We try to do all the necessary tests in one visit, and therefore your appointment may take up to three hours. Please bear this in mind when making transport arrangements.
Please bring the following with you:
Choose and Book patients: check with your GP how to arrange for an interpreter at your appointment.
Follow-up patients: contact the cataract clinic staff to make them aware of your needs before you attend.
Cataract surgery is only funded for patients who fall within certain visual criteria. If your vision is better than that on the guidelines, then it is unlikely that you will be eligible for NHS cataract surgery. You may wish to discuss the criteria with your GP or optometrist before you come to your clinic appointment.
We offer a free Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Screening Service at QMC, City Hospital, Ropewalk House and a number of health centres and GP practices across Nottingham. The service is easily accessible to all.
Diabetic Eye Screening is very important as part of good diabetes care. The screening visit itself is a quick and simple process.
Our diabetic eye screeners are all accredited and highly-trained practitioners, with our grading team based at Ropewalk House. All of the images taken at diabetic eye screenings may be reviewed by several different graders.
Diabetic Retinopathy Screening provides a timely treatment and adequate metabolic control can prevent up to 95% of severe sight loss.
Screening is offered every year to everyone with diabetes aged 12 and over. After your screening an expert will study the images of your eyes and if there are any problems we may call you back for another assessment at QMC.
Hospital transport can only take you to and from QMC or City Hospital. The transport number is 0845 266 9662 (office hours 9am - 4pm).
Hospital transport cannot be booked by NUH staff, as the operators will discuss patient needs and eligibility.
Please note that transport is restricted to appointments before 11.30am to ensure a minimal wait before pick-up.
Tel: 0115 919 4411
Book your appointment online - https://GNDESPbooking.nuh.nhs.uk/
Email: eyescreening@nuh.nhs.uk
Follow us on Twitter: NUH Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
The macular clinic is based in Eye Outpatients in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre on B-Floor at QMC.
The NUH Macular Service is one of the leading centres for macular treatment and research. The clinic deals with patients with wet macular degeneration and, if appropriate, patients are treated in a dedicated theatre with injections into the eye.
The department has a full range of diagnostic imaging equipment and technology which enables comprehensive investigation.
We aim to see anyone with suspected wet macular degeneration within two weeks of receipt of the referral and to give treatment within three weeks.
Patients are referred directly to the macular clinic via their optometrist (optician), GP, ophthalmologist or other hospitals. If a patient has been seen previously in the macular clinic, then they can self-refer.
On arrival, you will have investigations to diagnose and monitor your condition. You will then be seen by an ophthalmologist, who will discuss with you what has been found and the types of treatment available. If appropriate, treatment will be given on the day or on a subsequent visit.
We will carry out some or all of the following investigations:
Important information
Eye drops that blur your vision may be used, so do not drive to the hospital. The effects of the drops may last up to a day.
The appointment may take up to three hours or more, so please bear this in mind when making transport arrangements.
If you need an interpreter for this appointment, please let us know before you attend.
Please bring the following with you:
The department is continually trying to improve the care that it offers for macular degeneration.
We try to link routine care to participation in clinical trials designed to answer important questions on the best way to deliver treatment with the fewest side effects. Participation in these trials ensures we remain at the cutting edge of current thinking about the management of this condition.
At your appointment, we may discuss whether you would like to take part in a clinical trial. We will explain exactly what this would involve, and give you time to decide whether or not to join. All trials are inspected and tightly audited, which provides independent quality control.
Our optometry unit has a low vision clinic which specialises in assessing people with macular degeneration and can advise on low visual aids. An appointment can be arranged in the low vision clinic on a separate occasion if required.
We have an eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO) who is available to speak with any person with sight problems, and their families/carers. He can offer advice and support and provide information on local and national visual impairment organisations. He also has direct links with local authorities and can arrange home visits from the visual impairment team.
The ECLO is based at The Link office in the Eye Clinic on A Floor. He is available Monday to Wednesday from 8.30am to 4.20pm and Friday from 8.30am to 1.30pm. Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 85632.
The Ophthalmic Imaging Department is based in Eye Outpatients and the macular treatment area.
We perform a number of different procedures depending upon what your clinician would like to investigate. We take photographs of the front or back of the eye using cameras mounted on microscopes, or scans of the back of your eye using a laser. Photographs can also be taken while the nurse administers a contrast dye (this is called fluorescein angiography).
The techniques we use include:
Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 87786
The Optometry Unit is part of the Head and Neck Service in the Ophthalmology Department. It provides one of the most extensive hospital optometry services in the Midlands.
We are located in the Eye, Ear Nose and Throat Centre on A Floor at QMC. Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 85128
The Contact Lens Clinic is a specialist clinic for ophthalmology patients with a medical need for contact lenses. Indications for hospital contact lenses include:
Payment for new and replacement contact lenses will be discussed at your appointment. There are statutory NHS charges for contact lenses unless you are in an exempt category. Contact lenses are NOT automatically free of charge because they are supplied through the hospital clinic. For more information about exemption from NHS charges, see the Department of Health leaflet HC11.
If you lose a lens or need a replacement, you do not need to attend the clinic. Telephone or write, stating your full name, address and hospital number, making it clear whether you need a right or left lens. If possible, please include your daytime contact telephone number, so that we can let you know when your lens is ready for collection.
This clinic aims to help patients with visual impairment or visual difficulties. Patients do not have to be registered blind or partially sighted to be seen in the clinic. A full assessment is carried out to determine whether a magnifying device is beneficial and which magnifier is the most appropriate. We have a wide range of magnifying devices, which are issued on loan from the hospital. The optometrist advises patients on e.g. lighting and contrast.
If you have been loaned a low vision device and have any questions, or you need a replacement, please contact the low vision clinic.
Replacement batteries can be purchased from many high street retail outlets.
If you would like a review appointment, please contact the eye reception desk on 0115 8754 524. Please note if you have not been seen for over a year, you will need a re-referral from your GP.
The Paediatric Service is in Eye Outpatients in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre on A Floor at QMC. Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 81750.
Patients are referred to paediatric clinics via their GP, optometrist or health visitor.
Your child will see one or a number of the following healthcare professionals: an orthoptist, optometrist or ophthalmologist. Eye drops which temporarily blur the vision may be used during the consultation.
We will make every effort to see your child without an unnecessary wait, however, please allow up to two hours for a visit to clinic as we will often need to complete a number of different tests.
Important information
It is important that you bring with you any glasses that your child has and any tablets or a list of medication they are currently taking.
The Head and Neck Unit is made up of Ward C25 (Inpatient Ward) and Ward C24 (Daycase Lounge).
The unit is in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre on C Floor at QMC.
Visiting hours are 2.30pm -8.30pm, daily.
Please speak to the ward sister if you need to visit outside these hours.
We ask that no more than two visitors attend at any one time. Children are welcome, but please be mindful that other patients are often resting and need quiet. Chairs are available for visitors and can be found in each bay. If you would like to assist your relative or friend with meals and drinking (if appropriate) then please feel free to do so.
Please wash or gel your hands on entrance to the ward to help us protect patients against infections. Hand gel is at the entrance to the ward and also at each bedside.
Wards C24 and C25 are now one single unit instead of two separate wards, with day case patients on C24, and inpatients on C25. We also provide some procedures in the East Daycase Unit.
The inpatient ward has 34 beds, and we accommodate several different specialities, including ophthalmology, ENT, maxillofacial and emergency department beds. The ward has six-bedded bays, individual side-rooms and double side-rooms. You will always be cared for in single-sex accommodation.
The ward has a reception just as you arrive, on the left. Please present to reception on your arrival so that we can ensure you are in the right place.
The Daycase Lounge has 24 reclining chairs that are grouped into four single-sex bays of six chairs. We also have a Daycase bed facility for patients with mobility difficulties or for whom a reclining chair would not suit. C24 cares for ophthalmology, ENT and maxillo-facial patients.
Patients are admitted to the Daycase Lounge in the morning for their surgery or procedure. They then go home later the same day after a recovery period on the ward following the surgery or procedure.
Inpatient Ward C25
Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 89025
Daycase Lounge C24
Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 89024
Open 7am-9pm Monday to Wednesday; 7am-7pm Thursday and Friday. Closed at weekends.
The visual field is the extent or area of a person's peripheral (side) vision and relates to each eye individually. A visual field test investigates the ability to detect targets without looking directly at them. It is possible for medical conditions to affect the visual field of one or both eyes without reducing visual acuity. Someone can be unaware they have a visual field defect. It is therefore important to check the integrity of the visual field periodically through visual field screening.
If you are attending for an appointment for a visual field test, please remember the following:
Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 84195
The link service provides advice, information, support and guidance for people with a visual impairment, their families and carers. We can also direct you on to other appropriate services.
The service is run jointly by Nottingham City Council's Adult SensoryTeam (AST), and Nottinghamshire County Council's Adult Deaf and Visual Impairment Service (ADVIS).
Tel: 0115 924 9924 Ext: 85632