Ophthalmology services
South Essex Eye Service, our ophthalmology service, provides ophthalmic services to the population of South Essex and beyond.
Our multi-disciplinary team provides excellent eye care based on
current best practice. Using the latest technology in our
well-equipped facilities we plan and provide speedy, accurate
diagnosis and appropriate care pathways for patients. Along with
the ability to conduct minor operations, we offer a wide range of
services including laser treatment, photo dynamic therapy, botox
(as a non-cosmetic treatment) and an eye casualty service.
These are provided at both Southend and Orsett hospitals.
We deal with a wide range of eye problems and only rarely need
to refer patients to other hospitals. Our consultants are supported
by a team of doctors, some of whom are on rotation from other
specialist units such as Moorfields.
Our team
Our team is made up of orthoptists, photographers, optometrists,
consultants and nurses.
Our consultants each deal with general eye conditions as well as
individually specialising in all the major areas of ophthalmology
including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes and eye treatment for under
18s. Our dedicated and highly-trained nursing team, many of whom
have been specially trained in eye care. These nurses run
specialist clinics which means sometimes you will see a specialist
nurse for your appointment and treatment and not a doctor.
Our services
We offer an extensive range of expert services and treatments
for a variety of sight conditions, including:
- Botox
- Casualty clinics
- Cataract surgery
- Corneal diseases, conditions and trauma
- Day stay / inpatient surgery (local and General
anaesthetic)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- FFA (Fundus Fluorescein Angiography)
- Glaucoma
- Laser treatment
- Medical retinal service
- Minor operations
- Orthoptics
- Paediatric ophthalmology
- Phasing
- Photo dynamic therapy service
- Pre-assessment
- Retinal screening
- Syringing of tear ducts
- Visual fields
- Vitreo-retinal surgery
Being referred
- Via optician - if your optician decides that
you need to be seen urgently in the eye clinic they will
contact an eye doctor by phone to arrange an appointment for
you. If your problem is less urgent, they will write to the
eye unit or refer you to your GP for help
- Via GP - if your GP decides that you
need to be seen urgently in the eye clinic they will contact
an eye doctor by phone to arrange for you to be seen urgently,
usually either the same day or the following day. If your
problem is less urgent, they will write to the eye unit to arrange
a clinic appointment for you
- Via A&E (casualty clinics) - if your
optician or doctor thinks you need to see an eye doctor urgently
they can phone and speak to the on-call doctor. You will be
given an appointment for either the same day or the following day.
This service is available every day, including weekends and bank
holidays
If you do have a problem and you want advice about what to do,
please contact the hospital switchboard to speak to one of our
nurses. Alternatively you can contact NHS Direct.
Inpatient services
Both Southend and Orsett Hospitals provide a full range of
inpatient and day stay care facilities.
We provide full outpatient, inpatient and day stay care
facilities for our patients, including a ten bedded ward for
those requiring an overnight stay. All surgery requiring a general
anaesthetic is done at our hospital. Orsett Hospital provides full
outpatient and daystay care facilities. Those requiring inpatient
care are transferred to Southend.
Outpatient services
Both Southend and Orsett Hospitals provide a full range of
ophthalmic clinics which include 'specialist clinics' that deal
with a specific condition such as glaucoma, diabetes, retinal or
eye problems related to children.
It can take time to see each individual patient in some of our more
specialised so there may occasionally be unavoidable
delays. We appreciate your patience in such circumstances. On
occasion it may be necessary for you to be seen at a clinic which
is not the closest to where you live. This is because a
small number of services or facilities are only provided at one
site. You will be advised if this is the case.
The following clinics are run solely by specialist members of our
nursing staff:
• Fundus Fluorescein Angiography
• Minor Operations
• Post Cataract checks
• Pre-assessment for surgery
What to expect when you attend the eye
clinic
When you arrive at the clinic and have 'signed-in', you will be
seen by a nurse who will test your vision and then put drops in
your eyes. Most people who come to the clinic will need to
have the drops put in. These will dilate your pupils so that
the doctor can examine the inside of your eyes fully. It takes
about half an hour for the drops to work; in some cases you may
need a second dose. The drops will sting a little when they are put
in and your vision will become blurred. The blurred vision
will last for up to six hours and you must not
drive during this time.
Contact us
Eye unit: 01702
508181
NHS Direct: 0845 4647