Good Doctors in the UK

[Helen26]

I know there has been lots of discussion recently about doctors in the UK and how difficult it is to find a good one. I have tried several and found most to beunsympathetic to my condition. Even the nicer doctors have been unwilling help me try and get to the bottom of my eye problems.

It has recently been suggested to me that I try Anthony Bron in Oxford or Alan Tomlinson in Glasgow and I'd be interested to know if anyone has had any experiences with either of these two doctors they could share with me.

Thanks

Helen

[eva b]

I understand completely how you feel...I live in London, home of the world's (alleged) leading teaching eye hospital...and have yet to find a specialist who has told me any more than I've learned on this site, or indeed who I felt took me at all seriously.

Unless you're going blind, they don't seem to take it seriously.

There is an optometrist in London, a Dr Michel Guillon, who several members have been to see - if you do a search you'll find the references. Apparently he is very knowledgeable about dry eyes.

Like most people on this forum, I've used the information here to educate myself, read Dr Latkany's book, used his advice, and am now probably better informed about my condition than any of the specialists I've seen...and they have been legion!

The top man in London for external eye disease is a Mr John Dart, but the few people who have been to see him (and I nearly did) have not reported any remarkable treatment ideas.

I'm afraid it seems it's up to us to get informed, and become proactive in our own treatment.

Good luck

[jammie_t]

I definately recommend Mr Michel Guillon, he was fantastic.

I have seen 3 ''experts'' in the Manchester area all of which said different things varying from ''theres nothing up with you'' to ''you've already done the damage with using isotretinoin so get on with it attidude''

In addition I have also seen countless opticians who ironically are generally more helpful than the opthamologists but again no result as to exactly what is causing the probs.

[irish eyes]

My (new) optician also works part time at one of the hospitals in the North of England. It was gratifying to be able to have a bit of a rant about my dry eyes and blepharitis because he understood even if he couldn't offer any solutions that I hadn't already tried. After all, I only went in for a new pair of glasses!

He confirmed that many ophthalmologists didn't take these problems at all seriously - which was less gratifying but at least he was honest.

He told me that he had attended a `corneal' seminar recently and that Restasis was being discussed. Samples seemed to be available although he didn't actually engage with the representatives themselves to know how soon it might be available in Europe. Let's hope there is some movement on that one.

[mrdibbler]

Professor Ayliffe

I have been to see Professor Ayliffe who works on a private basis out of the Lister Hospital London. I went to see Dr Michael Guillon, who is very clued up, and was referred to professor Ayliffe. He also is an excellent authority on Dry Eye and its complications. I would reccomend him anytime.

If you want an optometrist who is an expert (he is the one I go to see on a regular basis) visit Mr Matheson's website. He has several shops in and around South Hampshire, England UK.

I hope this helps.

Oh by the way. Mr Matheson made a pair of environmental glasses for me (Moisture Chamber), and my Dry Eye has been improved considerably. They look impressively embarassing and ugly however!. I have just started a new job (computers) and have plucked up the courage to wear them at work. No - one makes any comment. Surprisingl!

Phew!

By the way 'Irish Eyes'. Could you let me have the address of your "(new) optician also works part time at one of the hospitals in the North of England". We are moving to live in Leicester as part of the new job I talked about, in which case it would be difficult for me to visit Mathesons. Though I suppose 150 miles is probably not a great distance.

TTFN.

[littlemermaid]

Thanks for info, MrDibbler. Will look out for Prof. Ayliffe's work. Interesting M. Michel Guillon referred there - is this partly because you are West Sussex and Prof. Ayliffe is Croydon, or did you go to Chelsea? To see Andrew Matheson, we go by train, stay overnight in the local Premier Inn - v pleasant. Best wishes for new job!

[mati]

HI!

I am in Durham and have a referral to the Sunderland Eye Infirmary but am willing to go private. Is there anyone in my area worth seeing about RCE?

[chads38]

Mathesons have been excellent in providing detailed replies to my emails regarding various eye issues

[carrievs]

I have been to the Moorfields Eye clinic at St George's Hospital twice. The first time through A&E and I was told there was nothing wrong and given Optive drops. The problem did not go away and I went back for a follow up but was only seen for 10 minutes and told I have posterior blepharitis by a junior doctor. Can anyone recommend to me a Consultant at Moorfields to see privately? I would like a definite diagnosis. I have problems only, or mostly, in my left eye, pain, aching, soreness, gritty feeling, dry, enlarged blood vessels. My right eye is almost totally OK. This started 2 months ago out of the blue. If you could private message me any recommendations I would be most grateful.

[Pinklady]

Hello Carrievs
My daughter has seen Stephen Tuft at Moorfields and he really seemed to know his stuff. She has a corneal dystrophy so similar problems to what you have so he may be able to help. We have seen him through the NHS on the Children's part of Moorfields but he is also listed on the private webpage
http://www.moorfields-private.co.uk/...ts/stephentuft
Wishing you the best of luck