any recs for a good opthalmologist in the uk please

[whyme?]

i'm getting desperate - my condition is getting worse - my eyes are completely red now and my lashes are falling out 6-8 per eye a day. don't have many left. any recs - have had many diagnoses - maybe be allergy, and does anyone know how i can be tested to see if i have an allergic reaction to BAK?

thank-you - michel guilon deals with dry eye - i have that severe but so many other symptoms and i really want to see an opthalmologist. i've seen four now.

[peepers]

If you google matheson optometrists,they're based in the uk.Hope you can find some answers.I to have constant red eyes.Im starting to think i have ocular rosacea.Whatever it is though its very depressing

[irish eyes]

i'm getting desperate - my condition is getting worse - my eyes are completely red now and my lashes are falling out 6-8 per eye a day. don't have many left. any recs - have had many diagnoses - maybe be allergy, and does anyone know how i can be tested to see if i have an allergic reaction to BAK?

thank-you - michel guilon deals with dry eye - i have that severe but so many other symptoms and i really want to see an opthalmologist. i've seen four now.

Hi

If you suspect BAK as being a culprit, have any of the doctors suggested that you should use preservative free drops? There are plenty you could try. Peepers told you about Matheson Optometrist - here's another one you could look at: http://www.dry-eyes.co.uk/

Both are nice companies to deal with if you wanted to ask a few questions - or that has been my experience anyway.

Sorry - from your final sentence, it's not clear if you have actually seen an opthalmologist or not;

`........i really want to see an opthalmologist. i've seen four now........'

[eva b]

you don't say whereabouts in the UK you are.

If you're in London, you have a better choice...you could start by getting on to Moorfields Eye Hospital, ask for their private patient section, and get their advice. One specialist who is well known for dry eye interest is called Mr John Dart, though I have to tell you people have made mixed reports about him.

Many people have reported good things about Michel Guillon - it's not always the opthalmologists who know the most, I find I get the best care from my local optometrist!

anyway, good luck.

[littlemermaid]

I'm taking littlemermaid to local Breakspear Medical Group clinic for skin and food allergy testing http://www.breakspearmedical.com (she doesn't know it yet) so they might point you in the right direction if you 'phone for info. about allergy.

As EvaB says, if you've been to your local teaching hospital, what about 'phone Moorfields Private and ask who would be the best person to see (we also got helpful reply and quote from Frank Larkin's private secretary, anterior segment team). Don't bother emailing Moorfields, it's like throwing your request into a black hole. We had some luck with ophthalmologists at local Spire and BUPA private clinics (although general info staff were mostly hopeless and wrong) - do the internet research as to what the ophthalmologists specialise in, pick the right guy (probably eye inflammation rather than corneal specialist), 'phone private secretary for appointment, hand over £180. Has anyone tried the eye inflammation people at the Yorkshire Clinic?

Optometrist, Andrew Matheson, Hampshire, http://www.matheson-optometrists.com does pay good attention for £85 and you can have amazing photos of your blepharitis and lid margin, plus we buy Theratears, Clinitas etc there, or you could ask his recommendations for BAK sensitivity by email. From your posts you have seen 4 ophthalmologists, but were they consultants or random emergency clinic staff?

You are under very big pressure, honey: eyes, work, insomnia... What does your GP say about Dr Latkany's advice that you need more support? and about looking after yourself and taking time off until you've got a treatment plan you're comfortable with? Can you go back to mum or sister for a bit? Someone I know nearly lost his job through insomnia, GP referred to sleep clinic, and amazingly they solved it through yoga. I was trawling the internet for solutions, wracking my brains what caused littlemermaid's eye problems, blaming myself, until I realised it's something that happened, who knows why, and we're dealing with it long term as best we can. Why any of us, eh?

[irish eyes]

Has anyone tried the eye inflammation people at the Yorkshire Clinic?

I'm a patient at this clinic and I have met several of the doctors before when I have attended the NHS. I also have to contend with inflammation of the iris (Iritis or Uveitis) and thankfully, that has always responded to potent steroids and support from the NHS.

Here's the link to the Yorkshire Clinic;

http://www.yorkshireeyehospital.co.u...e-inflammation

I see a cornea specialist for my dry eye. The specialists' biographies can be found on the website.

[littlemermaid]

This is an independent triage service for NHS in ophthalmology in south UK (adults over 16) http://www.thepracticeplc.com

If they serve your Primary Care Trust in ophthalmology (see website list) you get GP or optometrist referral and they see you asap. Eg my neighbour got cursory look same day for very high IOP, straight into hospital following day, sorted with followups.

[whyme?]

thank-you

thank-you all for your answers and kind support.

I've seen three optometrists and 4 consultant opthalmologists - (all privately and one privately from Moorfields).

I've been given so many different diagnoses and conflicting advice - hot compresses/ cold compresses.

I've decided to see John Dart - got to wait until 30th March! This will be my final trip to an opthalmologist. I know there is no cure but I want to manage this. My condition seems to be getting worse - my eyelashes are falling out. As a young woman this is just the icing on the cake. I'd like to halt this but not sure how. Any advice?

If i get any good advice or relief I'll keep you all updated.

thanks again