Ophthalmology in Great Missenden

The ophthalmology unit at The Chiltern Hospital is dedicated to swift and effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye conditions, focusing on exceptional patient care and comfort.

Our extensive range of diagnostic services allows us to leave no stone unturned in understanding your condition and determining the next step for your care, with a team of highly experienced Consultants available to see you promptly upon your referral or enquiry. The Chiltern Hospital treats a wide range of eye conditions, from those requiring common procedures, such as our state-of-the-art cataract surgery, to rarer cases that utilise our specialist testing facilities.

With us, you may enjoy a peaceful and private experience led by a highly-qualified Consultant Ophthalmologist, who will handle your care from the initial consultation to any treatment required thereafter.  

Ophthalmology is a medical speciality concerning the diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of conditions relating to the eye. Consultant Ophthalmologists are specialists in the field who will lead on your care. They work closely with ophthalmology nurses and refer to opticians and other specialists when necessary.

Symptoms such as blurriness, double vision or loss of vision, seeing spots, physical changes to the eye, or a change in how you see colours are reasons to book an appointment with an Ophthalmologist.

Cataracts, a clouding of the eye lens which can lead to visual difficulty and more severe symptoms when untreated, is a common eye condition with an effective treatment. The surgical procedure for treating this condition, known as cataract surgery, is to replace the affected lens with an artificial intraocular one. The Chiltern Hospital offers a first-class experience of this hugely successful treatment.

Another significant ophthalmological condition is macular degeneration, in which the central portion of the retina wears down over time. Successful treatment of this condition can help manage and reduce vision loss significantly. Diabetic retinopathy, a complication brought about by diabetes in which high blood pressure has damaged the retina, may require imminent or immediate treatment depending on its developmental stage.

Damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, is most commonly caused by glaucoma, a condition that requires careful management to slow or prevent vision loss. Treatments for glaucoma and other optic nerve disorders can include eye drops and surgeries.

Other conditions encompass a myriad of treatments, from laser surgery for certain corneal diseases to cosmetic procedures on squints and eyelids.

Your journey with The Chiltern Hospital begins with an enquiry through our team or a referral to your Consultant from a GP or Optometrist. You will then get a timely and convenient appointment booked in with a Consultant Ophthalmologist who will be committed to your care. If you have not been referred to a specific Consultant, our enquiry team is there to talk you through our team's wide range of experience, each with specific expertise in particular conditions and treatments, and help find you the right specialist.

At your consultation, your Consultant will lead a discussion about your symptoms, their triggers, and the sort of timeframe you have been experiencing them. Answering a variety of questions at this stage will help determine what diagnostic steps need to be taken next.

After the discussion, your Consultant will use a specialised microscope, called a slit lamp, to conduct a thorough evaluation of the eye. This assessment may require the use of dilating eye drops.

After your initial consultation, your Consultant will talk you through the following stages of your care. Your Consultant will have access to a range of specialist diagnostic equipment in the consultation room, so further tests can be carried out there and then if needed. If the next step requires equipment that is not available immediately, a date will be arranged for this test, as well as a follow-up appointment to discuss the results at your convenience.

Several tests may be required following an initial consultation, from testing sight while covering one eye to assess peripheral vision to 3D mapping the retina's anatomy to catch conditions at an early stage. It may also be necessary for your Consultant to refer you to another specialist in the hospital's ophthalmology unit. Rest assured that whatever that next step is, your Consultant will talk you through what's to come and what it all means for your treatment plan.

If you are advised to book a procedure by your Consultant, you will be offered a fixed quote for the treatment, and the two of you will choose a date together. This fixed price will be sent to you in writing, with no further hidden costs.

All surgeries in the ophthalmology unit are carried out in state-of-the-art operating theatres, and, as a day patient, you will be able to go home on the day of the procedure. While you are with us, you will be treated in a private room, where you will enjoy a clean, calm, and comfortable environment under the care of our exceptional ward team.

The Chiltern Hospital's ophthalmology team contains a wide range of experience and expertise, with a breadth of knowledge about the many conditions within this speciality. We understand that the eye's delicacy and complexity can make ophthalmological procedures, diagnoses, and even consultations a daunting prospect for patients.

It's essential to have confidence in the process behind your treatment, the plan that has been put in place, and the people who will be carrying that plan out. These are the foundations of the Consultant-led care our patients receive. 

The fantastic facilities at The Chiltern Hospital enable the Ophthalmology Unit and its team to provide world-class service. Identifying issues with the eye can often rely on cutting edge advancements in technology, and we are committed to investing in these innovations across the board. Our diagnostic services range allows swift diagnosis, while fast access to your initial consultation ensures that no time is wasted on a waiting list.

As well as diagnostic equipment such as microscopes and scanning equipment, the ophthalmological department is also equipped with the latest surgical and laser technology. This allows our patients the broadest and safest range of treatment options available for surgical and non-surgical eye care. 

In cases that require an expert opinion from a different speciality, your Consultant has instant access to The Chiltern Hospital's many other specialist units and their consultants.

Booking you in for an appointment with the appropriate specialist, your Consultant can seamlessly coordinate your care across teams. 

Speak with our friendly enquiry team today to book your initial consultation with an expert Consultant Ophthalmologist.