Ophthalmology

Victoria Eye Unit at The County Hospital

The Victoria Eye Unit offers a wide range of ophthalmic services, covering all areas of general ophthalmology, including cataract surgery.

Specialist Clinics

We provide specialised clinics for:

• Glaucoma

• Retinal and Macular Disorders (including Vitreoretinal surgery)

• Squint (in both adults and children)

• Paediatric Ophthalmology

• Thyroid Eye Disease

• Eyelid Disorders

• Inflammatory eye disease
  
  
• Cornea and external disease

The department is equipped with state-of-the-art digital photographic and laser imaging equipment, all connected throughout the hospital.

Eye Unit – Emergencies

If you have an urgent eye problem, follow the guidance below:

Call an Optometrist from the lists below, stating you need a Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) or for Powys area it is the Wales General Ophthalmic Service (WGOS) appointment, and explain the reason why. Availability will vary, and you may need to call more than one practice to get an appointment.

• Community Urgent Eyecare Service - practice finder website (CUES) - enter your location on their website page to find a service near you.
  
  
• Powys Optometrists in Wales contact details (WGOS)
   

If you feel your eye condition is a genuine emergency, please present to the Emergency Department at Hereford County Hospital

Eye Clinic Liaison Officer for Herefordshire (ECLO)

Hereford County Hospital has a dedicated RNIB Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO), Olivia Kerr, who can provide advice and support for anyone affected by sight loss on topics such as:

• Maintaining your independence
• Equipment, Reading Aids, and Technology
• Eye condition and treatment understanding
• Access to education, employment, and leisure advice
• Benefits and concessions that you may be entitled to
• Support while waiting for your appointment/surgery

Olivia can be contacted at 07702820890 or 01432 355444 ext. 1765, or via email Olivia.Kerr@nhs.net

For more information, visit the RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice Service Website.

Ophthalmic Operating Theatre

The Eye Unit has a dedicated ophthalmic operating theatre where a variety of surgeries are performed, including cataract surgery using small-incision phacoemulsification, usually under local anaesthetic.

We have a referral scheme that allows Optometrists to refer cataract patients directly to the Eye Unit. We also support operating facilities in Llandrindod and Brecon.

Our patients

We serve the population of Herefordshire and surrounding counties in both England and Wales. Peripheral eye clinics are held in various locations including Bromyard, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye, Ludlow, Leominster, Kington, Knighton, Monmouth, Brecon, and Llandrindod Wells.

Outline of the department

Seven consultant ophthalmic surgeons are supported by middle-grade and junior ophthalmologists and a team of specialist nurses. The Orthoptic Department offers ocular motility assessments and vision screening services for both children and adults across Herefordshire and community hospitals.

Each year, more than 30,000 patients visit the Eye Unit, and over 1,900 ophthalmic operations are carried out.

Links with other departments

We have excellent links with community optometry practices in Herefordshire and beyond, including Powys, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Gwent and Worcestershire.

Links with other services

• Herefordshire and Worcestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
• All Wales Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme
• Low Vision Scheme: Provides Low Vision Assessments and advice for the visually impaired, with services offered by opticians in Hereford, Ledbury, Bromyard, Kington, and Ross-On-Wye.
• We also work closely with Herefordshire Vision Links (visionlinks.co.uk) and the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford (rnc.ac.uk).
• We have excellent Optometry links with community practices in Herefordshire, Powys, Shropshire, Gwent, and Worcestershire.

Charitable Donations

The Eye Unit has a long-standing charitable fund that was started 30 years ago by Mr and Mrs Peebles and continued by Mr Bill Foster, raising over £300,000 in 17 years. The funds have helped provide modern equipment, benefiting patients directly.