Optometry

The optometry unit is staffed by Clinical lead optometrists Prashant Mistry and Bhavesh Mistry, including a team of 23 optometrists, a pre-registration optometrist and an optical assistant.          

All optometrists are registered with the General Optical Council and most are members/fellows of the College of Optometrists. 

What services do we offer?

The optometry unit carries out 3 types of core hospital assessments: paediatric and adult refractions, medical contact lens clinics and low vision assessments . 

Core hospital optometry

• Refraction (a sight test):  With this assessment,  the optometrist can determine the optical power of your eye, and the best vision that an eye can be achieved with spectacle correction.  We carry out pre- and post-operative tests,as required by your eye doctor. 

• Medical contact lens service:  We provide special contact lenses, as requested by your eye doctor; this is usually when vision cannot be improved with spectacles or standard contact lenses.  Examples of which include: To aid in the management of corneal problems, such as keratoconus and corneal scarring, Prosthetic lenses-to improve the cosmetic appearance of a scarred eye, and Bandage lenses-to provide relief from pain, or to maintain the optical surface of the eye.  Your eye doctor or optometrist can advise you on your suitability for this type of treatment if it is required.

• Low Vision assessments:  This involves refraction to achieve the best corrected vision for patients.  We train people with low vision to make the most of their remaining sight, and provide counselling and advice.  Typically patients are assessed with a variety of magnifying/visual enhancement devices to enable better reading.  Please note: these clinics are also held at VISTA and are part of wider rehabilitative program.  Patients can only be referred to this service through their eye doctor.

In addition to our core optometry work, there are various clinics where our specialist optometrists work.  If you have any of the following conditions you may see an optometrist as part of your visit.

• Keratoconus service:  All referrals with a possible diagnosis of keratoconus are managed by optometrists.  Patients may then be booked in to see a specialist corneal ophthalmologist if optical andcontact lens options fail to correct vision satisfactorily.

• Cornea service:  Two experienced Optometrists work alongside Consultant corneal and ocular surface surgeons diagnosing and managing  patients with disorders of the ocular surface.

• Glaucoma service:  Several specialist optometrists work with consultant ophthalmologists in glaucoma clinics; their role involves both diagnosis and treatment of this eye condition.  

• Paediatric Combined Care Service:  This well-established service combines the specialist knowledge of the orthoptist and optometrist, who jointly manage patients with squints, lazy eyes, and other uncomplicated eye conditions.  An appointment consists of an orthoptic assessment and glasses test, which is performed by the optometrist, who also checks the health of the eye.

• Complex biometry service:  A service for the assessment and examination of patients requiring ‘complex’ cataract surgery(eg. after  refractive or other ocular surgery).  The optometrist works with the surgeon, taking special measurements and calculations to work towards a successful surgical outcome.

• Ophthalmic genetics clinic:  An Optometrist works as part of a multidisciplinary team of staff, assessing patients and their relatives with inherited genetic eye disorders

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 Where are we?

Optometry staff work within all the eye clinics, but the optometry unit is based in Balmoral eye clinic, Balmoral building level 1.

Opening hours:  Monday to Thursday: 9.00 -12.30 and 13.30 -17.00.  Friday: 9.00 – 12.30

For optometry queries please phone (0116) 258 5858

For clinic appointment queries please contact the clinic enquiry line on (0116) 258 6763.