Paediatric ophthalmology

At a paediatric eye appointment, the process and duration can vary based on the type of assessment required. Your child may be seen by one or more specialists, including doctors, orthoptists, optometrists, and nurses, who will check vision, eye movement, and other aspects of eye health. Some appointments may involve the use of eye drops to dilate the pupils for a more detailed examination, which can extend the length of the visit. Appointments typically range from one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the assessment. It is important to arrive on time, as late arrivals may result in the appointment being rescheduled.

Children can be accompanied by a Play Specialist to help make their experience more comfortable. Translation services via LanguageLine are also available—please inform the hospital if you require this support.

You can find out more about what to expect from your appointment here:

• Visiting Newham Hospital
• Visiting The Royal London Hospital
• Visiting Whipp's Cross Hospital

The below video will help you prepare your child for the process of receiving eye drops. We’ll walk you through each step, explaining what to expect and how we make the experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible for your child.

Emergency children's eye conditions should be referred via the GP to the oncall Ophthalmology doctor, via switchboard.

GPs wishing to refer patients into some Barts Health services need to do this through a process known as 'advice and referral' (A&R) using the advice and guidance (A&G) pathway on eRS.

Patients can also be referred to us by Choose and Book.

Requests for advice and guidance can be submitted through Choose and Book. A clinician will respond to this within five working days.

For those transitioning into adult services with learning disabilities, several options are available. Eye tests can be accessed through local opticians using SeeAbility Charity, which helps find optometrists offering reasonable adjustments. Some opticians also provide home visits for eligible individuals. If local assessments are unsuitable or there are specific concerns, referrals to the specialist hospital Ophthalmology ALD clinic can be made via a GP. Those already accessing care in a paediatric ophthalmology clinic may have their care transitioned automatically.

Please contact our dedicated mailbox with any ALD queries: bartshealth.aldeyeclinic@nhs.net.