Looking for good ophthalmologist in uk

[justbob]

I'm expanding my range from wales to whole of uk, anyone know of any good ophthalmologists for dry eye/mgd/etc in uk please reply!

[justbob]

Surely somebody knows something?

[lizlou29]

All I can suggest is looking in the 'Plug a Doc' section under the Forum tab. The most recent one in the UK is this one http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...h-Newcastle-UK

There is also the Dry Eye Centre in London although I don't have experience with them http://dryeyecentre.co.uk/

It's really trial and error sadly. I saw two Ophthalmologists at Moorfields, I chose them because their bio's said they had an interest in dry eye but neither were helpful to me, just suggesting Doxycycline and lid scrubs - neither of which had helped me before. The appointments also cost £200+

Hopefully someone will see the thread and have a good recommendation for you soon.

[cathy8889]

Hey, you definitely need an ophthalmologist who is going to work with you and genuinely care about your condition, I saw someone in Birmingham who diagnosed me and put me on a course of doxycycline which started things getting better, but they didnt ask for me to go back and i've had to do a lot of things by myself, all trial and error, which is what I think a lot of people who suffer from dry eye have to do in the end. Since then I have found a wonderful optometrist in Wrexham/Chester/Whitchurch who is really knowledgeable, kind and keeps up to date with current research etc, he works for Jane Smellie opticians who also offer blephex which I had done. If you'd like to know name of optometrist pm me, Cath

[littlemermaid]

Bob, I would ask that Uni Optometry Department what they think, as suggested by PM UK-NHS-optometrist-clinics-in-universities. If you Google that department, there are at least 2 optometrist dry eye researchers - could be you can phone ahead and ask for an appointment or help and advice at least - TFOS researcher/lecturer. You can certainly have a free assessment there, as far as I know (have been in!), so that they can do some basic observations. They should be able to recognise demodex, do Schirmer test, tear breakup time etc. You do need someone to check the inflammation, and they might be able to either reassure you or suggest a new Ophthalmologist.

Things didn't go well for us until we found cornea specialist clinics in the big regional teaching hospitals. They were the only ophthalmologists who took this seriously, even though there was damage. Bristol Eye Hospital is Moorfields or Birmingham standard in training rotation http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients...-we-do/cornea/

Of course it's not about finding one doctor with an instant cure, unless the cause is something overlooked. As everyone says, it's ongoing improvement and healing by trying different treatments to see what helps you, and finding a doc to work with you. A sympathetic local optometrist is essential, particularly because Ophthalmology in your region is pretty overloaded. Also search which high street optometrists/opticians work in the NHS PEARS scheme near home (GP or primary care commissioner should have a list - NHS website). They will be better qualified on the medical side and can refer to Ophthalmologists (our GP is a non-starter). Seems like no one has given you a decent tear film and MGD assessment yet. You need to see an optometrist for regular checks, particularly eye surface exams. (Important not to confuse informed medical advice with eye lubricant sales, as always.)

It's really important to explain the effect on your quality of life. A symptoms and treatment diary is useful for appointments.

[justbob]

Thanks guys, it's difficult to travel at moment so really better if it's close to home, but I'll travel if I have to . I'm trying the usual heat and expression but nothing seems to happen, just seems to get worse very easily if I make a mistake (like use pc too much, have a bad nights sleep, or just get physically cold).

I've had a look at cardiff uni, only one I can find that mentions dry eyes is Dr Katharine Evans, and shes a lecturer.

[littlemermaid]

Yes, I know, but they are teaching in the Optometry Department at the Uni, which has a free open access clinic for training - I've been there! The TFOS link above is to Prof CP who is on the TFOS team (I wasn't going to make the names searchable on here, but hey...). No harm asking for help and advice from various avenues till you get lucky for what you need. If you're wondering how on earth to approach this, you could tell her you've read this and need help with diagnosis and management http://www.tearfilm.org/dewsreport/p...DEWS-noAds.pdf. Or have a look at Bristol. Just a few suggestions if it's not working out with the Ophth you have.

Many people here have counselling as backup while they are getting sorted out with the eyes. Can you get this through your GP? You must be pretty fed up by now. If not, there are online courses and good books on anxiety and low mood. Thank goodness we have this community. It's important how you feel http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-...s-anxiety.aspx

[justbob]

Yes, I know, but they are teaching in the Optometry Department at the Uni, which has a free open access clinic for training - I've been there!

I'd go, just a little suspitious of how much help it would be given it's free.

The TFOS link above is to Prof CP who is on the TFOS team (I wasn't going to make the names searchable on here, but hey...). No harm asking for help and advice from various avenues till you get lucky for what you need.

I've emailed her.

Or have a look at Bristol.

Bristol uni have a good rep too?

Just a few suggestions if it's not working out with the Ophth you have.

It's not, until blood spurts out he's clearly not interested.

Many people here have counselling as backup while they are getting sorted out with the eyes. Can you get this through your GP?

I'm seeing someone already, but I don't know if he can help with this.

You must be pretty fed up by now. If not, there are online courses and good books on anxiety and low mood. Thank goodness we have this community. It's important how you feel http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-...s-anxiety.aspx

Yes. I could cope if I knew it would get better, but it doesn't feel/look that way at all right now.

[littlemermaid]

Hi Bob, I've got to take the kids out this evening but I'll get back to you tomorrow. I'm thinking you are happier taking charge of your own treatment. Healing takes time. My d had steroid rosacea with nasty flareups and now she's great. Barely using eyedrops, hardly ever needing to see a doc for checkups. But it wasn't a quick fix and it's about ongoing maintenance and doing what makes things better, trying different things. Difficult I know, believe me, but we have to stop ourselves getting angry if docs may potentially help us and treat them as advisers to tap their knowledge. A more equal relationship now maybe - we are not victims, I think, but here to learn.

I have visited Bristol Uni med school but we are interested in the Bristol Eye Hospital service here, which has had a cornea bank for years. Just suggesting it as Moorfields standard in terms of accessing possible new meds. Bit of a trek for you if gentle maintenance and patience would get you stabilised. That's a lot of compresses and lid squeezing you're doing - are they necessary? What lubricant drops suit you?

I'd go, just a little suspitious of how much help it would be given it's free.

Ha! Sorry it's free...! It's a great Optometry School and they would be very closely supervised but I don't know what more they could do. Just another option for observations and advice so you know there are other opportunities.

[justbob]

Hi Bob, I've got to take the kids out this evening but I'll get back to you tomorrow.

Ok, thanks for helping .

I'm thinking you are happier taking charge of your own treatment.

No I'm not, now I don't know what I should be doing . Who'd want to self treat cancer for example?

Healing takes time. My d had steroid rosacea with nasty flareups and now she's great. Barely using eyedrops, hardly ever needing to see a doc for checkups. But it wasn't a quick fix and it's about ongoing maintenance and doing what makes things better, trying different things. Difficult I know, believe me,

I don't know what to do to heal!

but we have to stop ourselves getting angry if docs may potentially help us and treat them as advisers to tap their knowledge. A more equal relationship now maybe - we are not victims, I think, but here to learn.

I don't agree with that, doctors I've seen are (what swearwords are allowed on this forum)?

I have visited Bristol Uni med school but we are interested in the Bristol Eye Hospital service here, which has had a cornea bank for years. Just suggesting it as Moorfields standard in terms of accessing possible new meds. Bit of a trek for you if gentle maintenance and patience would get you stabilised.

I could do Bristol, London is a bit much though.

That's a lot of compresses and lid squeezing you're doing - are they necessary?

I don't know! I'm being left to my own devices without proper guidance.

What lubricant drops suit you?

Hylo-forte, it's the only one that I think is even safe for me to use.

Ha! Sorry it's free...! It's a great Optometry School and they would be very closely supervised but I don't know what more they could do. Just another option for observations and advice so you know there are other opportunities.

Worth a try I guess.

[littlemermaid]

Justbob, do you want to tell us how old you are? It just affects how much help you need to access Ophthalmology clinics.

[justbob]

41................ (needed dots to let me post!)

[littlemermaid]

You've seen cornea specialists at Swansea?

[justbob]

No, my corneas are fine now, would that help you think?

[justbob]

I've emailed her.

No reply yet, probably won't get one .