Factsheets Attending a Hospital Eye Clinic Appointment

Introduction

If you have problems with your eyes you may need to go to a Hospital Eye Clinic. You may need to have tests or eye examinations at the clinic or you may need to have treatment or to be assessed for surgery. You will usually be referred to the eye clinic by your optometrist or GP. Once the hospital has received the referral, you should be seen at the clinic within 18 weeks. 

When you attend the eye clinic we advise that you go with someone who knows you well or who supports you. You may need this person to take notes about what you may be told at your appointment.  The person may need to talk with you if you are worried; they may need to escort you home if you have had treatment. 

We recommend you use our form, Feedback from the Optometrist about my test form. Using the form will help you and your supporter record the information from your visit to the clinic. 

What happens at the Eye Clinic?

• Usually your vision will be tested at the eye clinic using methods such as Snellen Charts, Sheridan Gardiner test or Kay Pictures.

• The doctor will look into your eyes using an ophthalmoscope (this has a light that shines into the eye) and other equipment. You may also have your peripheral (side vision) vision tested. You might like to read, The Eye Examination Explained

• A nurse may put drops in your eyes. This is to make it easier for the doctor to examine your eyes.

• You will be seen by an eye doctor. They eye doctor might also be known as an Ophthalmologist, a Consultant or a Registrar.
• At some clinics or eye hospitals you may meet Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLO) or Sight Care Advisors. They meet with patients at the clinic and they can explain what is happening. They can tell you about other useful services that might help. You might like to read,  The role of the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer

What will I be told about my eye health?  

• Once an examination has taken place, the doctor should be able to tell you more about your eye problem or eye health. They should tell you if have an eye condition. It is important that you are given the name of your eye condition and information about how it will affect you. You can ask if there is a leaflet to tell you and your supporter more information.  As long as you have the name of the eye condition you can find out more information about it from this website or RNIB your local society for visually impaired people, or your doctor.
• The doctor should advise you if there is any treatment which may help. If there is a treatment, the doctor should explain
• What is involved (such as surgery or eye drops).
• What the benefits will be (such as improved vision).
• What  the risks might  be of having the treatment or surgery (could your sight get worse?)
• What level of support will need before, during and after the treatment or operation
• How likely is the treatment to be successful
   

You may also like to read Eye surgery for people with Learning Disabilities and the Eye surgery support plan  

If the doctor says that you cannot have any treatment, they should explain why not. You may want to read our booklet Consent to Medical Treatment

What other services are at the Eye Clinic?

• An Orthoptist will see children and adults who have problems with binocular vision and squints.

• A Low Vision Aid Clinic will help you to make the best use of your vision. You may be given spectacles, magnifiers or monoculars which help you to see better. You may also be given advice about good lighting or other techniques to help you see well. This is an important appointment and should not be missed. A low vision appointment can help a person with lots of leisure, work and daily living activities. See also our factsheet,   Low vision services for people with learning disabilities
• Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLO) or Sight Care Advisors work in some Eye Clinics. They often have more time to explain to patients what is happening and can tell you about other useful services which might help.

What else do I need to know?

• Eye Clinics can be very busy and sometimes you may have to wait to be seen. If this is a problem, ask the Reception staff if you can be seen more quickly and explain why. You may be able to ask for an early appointment so that you can be seen before it gets too busy.
• The doctor may talk to you about Registering as Sight Impaired or Severely Sight Impaired. This involves signing a form called a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI). Being Registered may make it easier to receive some benefits or services although this may vary in different areas. Sometimes Registration will be explained by the ECLO. A copy of the CVI is sent to your local Social Services and you should then be contacted by them offering a visit to assess your needs. This visit will be made by a Rehabilitation Officer or Care Manager/Social Worker who should know all about support for people with poor sight. This is your opportunity to ask for any help you may need for you or your carers. You might like to read Assessment and Registration.

Finally

• At the end of your appointment, make sure that you know what will happen next. Do you have a date for another appointment? Do you have to take any medication?
• If this is your last appointment, do you understand what has happened? Is your eye condition and level of vision stable or likely to get worse? Remember that you may still need to visit the optometrists for regular eye checks.
• Use the our Tell the Optometrist about me form to prepare for the appointment and to record what happened. The doctor may also write to your GP to let them know what happened.

June 2009