Ophthalmology in Bromley

In a healthy eye, light passes through the cornea at the front of the eye then the clear lens in the middle of the eye. The lens focuses the light onto the retina at the back of the eyeball, which transforms it into electrical impulses which are then transmitted along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain processes these electrical impulses in order to give us our sight.

If any of these complex processes are disrupted by injury, disease or as a result of ageing, vision will be affected.

At The Sloane Hospital in Beckenham, Kent, experienced Consultant Ophthalmologists provide expert assessment and treatment for a number of eye and vision problems. They would be delighted to help you access the most suitable treatment for your particular vision needs. Why not book your private appointment today?

When any part of the eye is not able to work properly, it will often cause certain symptoms. Some of the common reasons people visit us for help are:

• Blurred vision
• Reduced vision
• Glare / dazzle
• Light sensitivity
• Eye pain
• Double vision
• Squints
• Lumps or bumps on the eyelid

When you visit The Sloane Hospital for your private eyecare appointment, your Consultant will investigate your symptoms in order to determine the precise cause. Eye conditions that commonly cause problems include:

• Cataracts – cause the lens of your eye to become cloudy
• Glaucoma – damage to the optic nerve caused by long-term raised pressure in the eye
• Dry eyes
• Blepharitis - itchy / swollen eyelids
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the macula is the central area of the retina. AMD affects the central part of your vision, causing problems with things like recognising faces or reading
• Diabetic retinopathy – a complication of diabetes, with the blood supply to the retina affected. If left untreated, this condition may eventually lead to blindness
• Lumps and bumps on the eyelid
• Inflammation
• Floaters – translucent specks that appear in your field of vision
• Eyelid problems

Although some eye problems cannot be fully cured, appropriate treatment can manage symptoms and maintain or improve vision. Your Consultant will be able to advise you on suitable treatment options once they have carried out a comprehensive investigation of your specific symptoms.

• Cataracts will usually get worse over time. If your vision is being noticeably affected, cataract surgery can be carried out. A small cut is made into the eye in order to allow removal of the natural (cloudy) lens and the placement of a clear, artificial one.
• Dry eyes and inflammation such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis can usually be successfully treated with eye drops and other measures such as hot compresses to the eyelids.
• Glaucoma is usually first treated with eye drops to lower the pressure inside the eye. This may be all that is needed to manage the condition, but sometimes surgery may be needed. Known as a trabeculectomy, some of the fluid in your eye is drained in order to lower the internal pressure. Eye drops or surgery will help to prevent further damage to the optic nerve in the future but cannot repair the damage that has already been caused to the eye.
• Squints in adults, and various lumps and bumps on or around the eyelid, will often require surgery.
• Diabetic retinopathy^* can be treated by injections into the eye, surgery or laser.
• Although there is no cure for age-related macular degeneration*, modern treatments such as a vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist (anti-VEGF) injections can help to slow its progress.

Whatever symptoms you may have, the highly experienced consultants at The Sloane Hospital will oversee every aspect of your care tailoring treatment to your specific needs and what will be best for you.

^* Please note that at The Sloane Hospital, we do not provide complex oculoplastic surgery, laser eye surgery, refractive lens replacement, treatment for retinal detachment or vitreoretinal conditions such as macula hole and surgical treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Our Consultant Ophthalmologists will be happy to see you for assessment, but these particular treatments will need to be arranged outside the hospital if required.

When you meet your Consultant at The Sloane, they will take a medical history and ask you about your symptoms.

They will assess your current vision and the health of your eyes by carrying out a comprehensive examination of your eyes (ophthalmologic examination). They may use:

• Vision charts
• A slit lamp to examine the surface of the eye using a microscope
• Eye drops to dilate the pupil in order to allow better examination of the back of the eye

These may be all that is needed to make a diagnosis, in which case they will talk through the results with you. If treatment is required, they will discuss suitable options with you and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

In some cases, additional investigations may be needed. These may include:

• A special camera to look at the field of vision
• A special camera to look at the structure of the retina and optic nerve
• CT or MRI scan

While some of these investigations can be carried out at The Sloane, others will need to be arranged outside the hospital for you. Once any results are back and a diagnosis has been made, treatment will be planned and started at the earliest opportunity.

Most of our private eyecare patients are from Beckenham or the surrounding areas, although excellent train access from Central London makes it convenient to travel to us from London.

People are usually referred to us by their optician or GP or are recommended to us by a friend or family member. You can also self-refer.

We treat people with private medical insurance and self-pay patients.

When you visit The Sloane Hospital for your private Ophthalmology appointment, you will benefit from:

• Fast access – For many eye conditions, treatment at the earliest possible stage is important. We can arrange an appointment for you with an experienced Consultant Ophthalmologist without delay so that you can start any treatment needed as soon as possible.
• Consultant-led care – Your Consultant will oversee every aspect of your eyecare, from initial appointment through to treatment planning, treatment and post-treatment review. If adjustment is needed to your treatment at any stage, this is easily done.
• Convenient appointments – Ophthalmology appointments can be booked at a time that is convenient for you. Most people choose to have their appointment at the hospital, but we can provide remote consultations by telephone or video if required (and where clinically appropriate).
• Free parking on-site – Our car park is free for patients and visitors and has 20 spaces.

If you have any concerns about your eye health, whether a recent change in your vision, a pain in your eye or a lump around your eye or eyelid, our Consultants can help. Why not book your private eyecare appointment today? We look forward to welcoming you to The Sloane Hospital soon.