Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists are allowed to use medications to treat eye diseases, implement laser therapy, and perform surgery when needed. Ophthalmologists may participate in academic research on the diagnosis and treatment for eye disorders.

The Trust also works with ToukanLabs using the OpenEyes system to process ophthalmology patient information. Further details about this are published on their website and Privacy Notice.

Eye treatment (Ophthalmology)

We run adult and paediatric ophthalmology services in state-of-the-art equipped theatre and clinic space. We offer a range of general and specialist clinics, including:

• Day case ophthalmology surgery at the Lister Treatment Centre, with some inpatients stays where appropriate
• Surgical and medical outpatient services at the Lister, New QEII and Hertford County hospitals
• Diabetic retinopathy screening at all sites and satellite clinics
• Urgent eye clinic at Lister

Our specialist clinics include:

• One-stop cataract clinics
• Medical retina clinics
• Rapid age-related macula degeneration (AMD) clinic
• Intravitreal therapy service for age related macular degeneration (AMD); diabetic macular oedema (DMO); and retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
• Fast-track glaucoma clinics
• Paediatric clinics
• Oculoplastics clinics
• Orthoptic clinics
• Optometry, contact lens and low visual aid clinics
• Vitreoretinal surgery clinics
• Digital imaging services – including optical coherence tomography, anterior and posterior segment photography, Fluorescein and Indocyanine Green angiography

Our consultants

• Miss Fariha Shafi – Clinical Director, with a special interest in Oculoplastics
• Mr Michael Toma – with a special interest in Medical Retina
• Mr James Bacon – with a special interest in Glaucoma
• Mr Anil Singh – with a special interest in Vitreoretinal Surgery
• Mr Samir Mahmood – with a special interest in Medical retina, Uveitis and Emergency Eye care.
• Miss Faye Barampouti – with a special interest in Paediatric Surgery
• Mrs Anitha Sethumadhavan – with a special interest in Medical Retina.

We also have two trainees from the East of England Deanery.

We also provide retinal screening for patients over 12 years old who are listed on the GP Diabetic register at the Lister, New  QEII and Hertford County hospitals, Herts and Essex Hospital, Royston Community Hospital, Cheshunt Community Hospital and Baldock Health Centre.

Contact us

To contact the Ophthalmology Hub, please call 01438 286222, referencing the appropriate option number as listed below:

Option 1 – Paediatrics (Children’s Services)

Option 2 – Waiting lists

Option 3 – Injections/AMD

Option 4 – Secretaries

Option 5 – Outpatients

Option 6 – UEC Queries

Urgent eye clinic

We provide an urgent eye clinic for adults and children referred by their GP, optometrist or via the local Accident and Emergency departments. This clinic is located on the ground floor of the Treatment Centre at the Lister.

Adult ophthalmology outpatients and urgent eye services opening times

Adult ophthalmology and urgent eye services are available during the following hours: