Ophthalmology

What we do

The Adult Ophthalmology (Eye) Department at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital provides eye care for a wide range of general and specialist ophthalmic conditions.  

Our services

General

We assess and treat patients with a large number of general ophthalmic conditions that include: 

• Cataract
• Glaucoma
• Retina
• Oculoplastic 
• Uveitis, ocular infection and ocular inflammatory disease

Cataract

A cataract is an opacity within the clear lens inside the eye that helps to focus light on the back of the eye. As cataracts develop, they can lead to symptoms such as reduced vision or glare. The only treatment option for cataracts is surgery and cataract surgery is the most commonly performed operation on the NHS with a high success rate.

We perform small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery on all patients and the preoperative assessment includes discussion with the patient about their preferred refractive outcome and biometric ocular measurements are made accordingly. Cataract surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia and our operating lists are located in the day case theatre on the ground floor. Patients can usually go home the same day and given drops to use afterwards to reduce the risk of inflammation or infection.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions where the optic nerve is damaged where it leaves the eyes and is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The glaucoma service offers a full assessment with visual field and optical coherence tomography (OCT) testing, glaucoma laser and glaucoma surgical treatments.

Medical retina

The retinal service sees a range of conditions that include diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, vein occlusions, artery occlusions and other retinal diseases. The retinal service offers a full retinal assessment that includes fluorescein angiography, autofluorescence and OCT scans. We perform retinal laser treatment in clinic or theatre and intravitreal anti-VEGF treatments for wet macular degeneration and diabetic eye conditions.

Oculoplastic service

The oculoplastic service sees patients with problems such as lid malposition, lid tumours, thyroid eye disease, other orbital disease and craniofacial abnormalities are seen. There is frequent liaison with the plastic surgeons and the craniofacial surgeons.

Uveitis, ocular infections and ocular inflammatory disease

The uveitis service sees a range of conditions including specialist HIV-related eye disease. Patients with ocular inflammatory disease often require immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory treatment and regular monitoring. 

Collison opticians

Our optician department includes a range of services including contact lenses and low visual aid assessments. 

Our team

The adult ophthalmology team consists of seven consultants, one associate specialist and a nurse specialist alongside our team of nurses, technicians and healthcare assistants.

• Ms Sofia Ajamil, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
• Ms Toks Akerele, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
• Mr Richard Lee, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
• Mr Nabeel Malik, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
• Mr Richard Scawn, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon 
• Ms Marianne Shiew, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
• Ms Manvi Sobti, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon 
• Mr Sanjay Dhir, Associate Specialist
• Nicky Whiteley, Senior Sister, Outpatient Clinic
• Ms Thida Kyaing, Ophthalmic Nurse Specialist
• Mr Paul Bulusan, Lead Ophthalmic Technician

Referrals

We accept referrals from your GP or healthcare professional via eReferrals. All routine referrals are triaged by the consultants to ensure that the patients are booked into the most appropriate clinic.

Contact information

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

Adult Ophthalmology
Outpatients 3
1st Floor, Lift Bank C

New appointments
T: 020 3315 6666

Follow-up appointments:
T: 020 3315 3235/8345

Surgery/admissions:
T: 020 3315 3570