Ophthalmology in Croydon

Expert treatment for cataracts and other eye and vision concerns

close up of patient receiving eye assessment

Private eyecare in Croydon

At Shirley Oaks Hospital, our consultant ophthalmologists offer services to treat a wide range of vision and eye problems.

Located in Shirley Oaks Village on the outskirts of Croydon, our private hospital sees patients from Southwest London including areas such as Sutton, Coulsdon, Purley, Wallington, and Kenley. We also help treat patients from East Surrey including areas such as Banstead, Warlingham, Chipstead, and beyond.

People travel to us to seek the expertise of our experienced consultants and to make the most of our high quality, modern facilities and compassionate team of healthcare professionals.

What is ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology involves the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye. A doctor who specialises in this area is known as a consultant ophthalmologist.

Any change in vision can be a concern. Perhaps you’ve noticed that reading has become less enjoyable because the words are harder to see, or maybe you’re struggling with blurred vision. When any kind of change in your vision starts to affect daily life, we don’t believe that you should just have to put up with it.

The consultants at Shirley Oaks Hospital are highly qualified experts in eye health and help treat a very wide range of conditions and symptoms. Whether you’d like to reduce your dependency on glasses or would like to explore treatment options for a degenerative eye condition, they will help you get the most appropriate treatment, sooner.

Common eye concerns

Many factors can affect eye health, including injury, high pressure inside the eye, and illnesses such as diabetes.

People usually visit our consultants to get help for one of these common symptoms:

Blurred vision
Reduced vision
Glare/dazzle
Colour losing intensity
Light sensitivity
Eye pain

There are many conditions that can lead to these symptoms, and some of the most common conditions we see at our eye clinic include:

Glaucoma
Dry eyes
Blepharitis
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Diabetic retinopathy – a complication of diabetes, affecting the blood supply to the retina
Lumps and bumps around the eye and eyelids – e.g. a stye or an eyelid cyst
Inflammation – e.g. uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer in the eye) and conjunctivitis
Eyelid problems –e.g. drooping eyelids that affect vision

Private eye treatments in Croydon

While some eye conditions cannot be cured, symptoms can often be effectively managed. Your consultant will be able to advise you on suitable treatment options.

Treatment for cataracts

Cataracts usually get worse over time, so we always advise early treatment. This is normally with minimally invasive surgery, where a small incision is made into eye and the lens removed and replaced with an artificial one. Cataract surgery can be life-changing for many people, who are thrilled to have their vision restored so quickly and easily.

Treatment for dry and weeping eyes

Dry eyes, blepharitis and conjunctivitis can often be successfully treated with medication like eye drops, which can be prescribed by our consultants.

Treatment for glaucoma

Glaucoma is often treated in stages. Eye drops may to help lower pressure in the eye. Where this doesn’t help, corrective surgery may be needed. There are different ways this can be done to help relieve the pressure. Although this surgery won’t restore vision, it can help prevent additional damage to the optic nerve.

Treatment for vision correction

If you currently wear glasses and would like to explore alternative options, your consultant can discuss this with you.

Refractive lens surgery (also known as lens exchange surgery) replaces the natural lens with an artificial one that is tailored to your specific vision correction requirements. These can be multifocal or trifocal, and your consultant will discuss options with you.

Alternatively, laser refractive surgery can be carried out to reshape the front surface of the eye (cornea) in order to improve vision.

If diabetic retinopathy is affecting vision, treatment may by laser treatment (photocoagulation), injections into the eye or by surgery.

If sagging upper eyelids are affecting your vision, ptosis surgery or a blepharoplasty can be carried out to tighten the muscles that support the eyelid

Treatment for age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration cannot be cured, but treatments such as a vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist (VEGF) may help to slow its progress. Whatever symptoms you may have, our experienced consultants are here to help you. They will oversee every aspect of your care and carefully monitor results of any treatment to ensure you always receive the most appropriate support.

What happens at your first ophthalmology consultation?

When you first meet with one of our consultants, they ask you about your medical history and any symptoms.

They may ask you questions during your appointment, such as:

What symptoms do you have?
How long you’ve had these symptoms?
When did you first noticed these symptoms?
What time of day seems to affect your symptoms the most?
Have you received any treatment already? E.g. prescribed medication

They will conduct a detailed examination of your eyes to check your current vision and the health of your eyes. Your consultant may also take measurements of your eye.

In many cases, this will be all that is needed to make a diagnosis. Your consultant will then explain the results to you, discuss suitable treatment options and answer any questions you may have.

In other cases, further tests may be needed such as a visual acuity test or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Occasionally, you may be referred for further investigations, such as a CT or MRI scan. This will often be if you have symptoms like unexplained loss of vision or frequent headaches or migraines.

When the results of any tests are back, your consultant will tailor a treatment plan for your specific requirements and discuss this fully with you.

Why choose Shirley Oaks Hospital in Croydon?

Most people seen at Shirley Oaks Hospital have been referred to us - either from their GP, another healthcare professional, or their private medical insurance provider. We see patients with private medical insurance and those using one of our self-pay options.

Many of our patients live in Croydon and the surrounding areas of Surrey, but good road and public transport links make it very easy to visit us from further afield as well.

When you visit Shirley Oaks Hospital for help with your eye condition, you will benefit from:

Rapid access to an expert

Many conditions affecting the eye, such as cataracts and glaucoma, are best treated at the earliest possible stage. We can arrange an appointment for you with an experienced consultant without delay. By getting earlier assessment and diagnosis, you will be able to start benefitting from the best treatment for your condition sooner.

Personalised care

Treatment is always tailored to the individual. Regular reviews by your consultant will make sure that you continue to benefit from the most appropriate treatment.

Convenient appointments

With ophthalmology appointments available throughout the week, you’ll be able to book an appointment to suit your availability. We are also able to offer remote consultations by telephone or video if required (and where clinically appropriate).

Location

Shirley Oaks Hospital is located on the outskirts of Croydon, within easy reach of all major road and rail networks. Our car park is free for patients and visitors.

How to book an ophthalmologist in Croydon

To book your initial consultation with one of our ophthalmologists near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.

Content reviewed by In-house Team in January 2026. Next review due January 2029.