What is Ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology is the treatment of eye diseases, injuries and surgical procedures. We are proud of the services we offer and our aim is to provide the best possible care and treatment for all patients referred to our services. The team consists of six consultants, one associate specialist and four staff grade members, who are supported by highly-skilled nursing staff, an eye clinic liaison officer, an orthoptist and medical photography team.
What sort of work do we do?
The main surgical work undertaken is cataract operations. However, glaucoma surgery, laser surgery, squint surgery, corneal grafts, oculoplastic surgery and minor operations are also carried out. The success rates of cataract surgery undertaken at the Trust are higher than the national rates and the complication rates of surgery are a lot less than the national ones. We are a modern department with state-of-the-art surgical equipment.
Ophthalmology clinics
Many patients are referred by their GP, but some are referred by their optician. We operate a one-stop-clinic where you will be seen and assessed and if surgery is needed you'll get a date for this at your first clinic visit. More than 90 per cent of our surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic as day surgery cases.
Eye Clinic Liaison Officer
Our Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) is funded by a partnership between The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
The ECLO provides support to Rotherham’s Ophthalmology patients as well as to other patients living with sight loss. Located in the eye clinic, the ECLO provides emotional support, advice and information to those experiencing sight problems at what can be a difficult time for the visually impaired person, family members and carers. Issues covered include information and advice about the registration process, emotional support, advice on living with sight loss and maintaining independence.
Contact Matt Bower, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, Rotherham Community Health Centre at matthew.bower3@nhs.net or 07874
885601.
For more information on RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice Service visit www.rnib.org.uk/advice.
Where we are
The Trust’s Ophthalmology outpatient service is based at the Rotherham Community Health
Centre (RCHC).
All
outpatient appointments are delivered at RCHC – the only exception being
emergency treatment, which is carried out at the Urgent and
Emergency Care Centre at Rotherham Hospital.
RCHC, on Greasbrough Road,
is easily accessible from Rotherham town centre, and there is parking available
on site and alternative parking in the wider area.
