We support the Medical Retina clinics with Specialist Optometrists involved in assessing and managing patients in the Medical Retina clinics at St. James’s University hospital.
Our Specialist Optometrists involved in these clinics have either a further qualification in medical retina, diabetic screening and/or Independent prescribing.
The Medical Retina team diagnoses, monitors and treats conditions that affect the lining of the back of the eye, called the retina. Common conditions include age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion and inherited retinal diseases.
The team comprises Ophthalmologists and non-medical, Retina Specialist Practitioners, Specialist Optometrists and Medical Illustration staff.
When required, treatment options for retinal conditions most often involve laser, drugs and/or surgery. A number of conditions are treated by injections of drugs into the eye itself. These not only help to stabilise vision but can also improve vision in some cases. At present the injection service is located in the Macular Treatment Suite at Seacroft Hospital.
How do I make an appointment with this service?
To be seen in the clinic you must usually be referred by your GP, optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Clinics
These clinics run throughout the week in the main Eye clinic at St. James’s University Hospital and on Friday afternoons at Wharfedale General Hospital.
Optometric support is provided on Thursday morning for a virtual medical retina clinic at the main eye clinic at St. James’s University Hospital and on Friday afternoons at Wharfedale General Hospital.
Waiting times
Please be aware that you may have a series of examinations from a range of clinicians and your appointment may take up to two hours to be completed from the time your appointment is booked.
Video
Watch the video below about one person’s age related macular degeneration journey.
My age-related macular degeneration journey
I was watching TV one day and noticed that straight lines on the screen had gone wavy. I also noticed a dark spot in my vision. I was worried, so I made an appointment with my opticians. The person at my opticians did all the usual tests, like checking my vision and looking into my eyes, but they told me I needed further tests in the hospital as they found signs of possible wet age-related macula degeneration. They explained this can develop when blood vessels grow into the macula at the back of the eye and then leak fluid, which can cause damage.
I was worried about further damage and if I would lose my sight, so I was glad to be referred to a hospital. They referred me to a retinal specialist, and I got a letter for an appointment within 2 weeks in the eye clinic. I had my vision tested again after some drops were put in my eye to dilate my pupils. I then had some scans on my eye, which included a test called ocity and geography, which shows where the problems may be in the blood vessels.
Once the test was finished, the doctor looked at the results and told me they showed leakage, so I would benefit from some treatment. They explained this involves a series of injections in the eye with a drug that stops the growth of blood vessels that leak. I was nervous about the idea of injections in my eye, but the doctor reassured me that the eye would be numb, and the injections are done from the side, so I would not see the needle.
They also explained all the risks and benefits to me, so I could make the decision. I decided it was worth doing and signed the consent form in the clinic. They told me that here at my hospital, I could have the treatment on the same day, which was great as then I didn’t have to come back another day. I was seen first by the nurse, who asked me a series of questions to make sure I was suitable for the treatment. They then put anaesthetic drops in my eyes and asked me to sit in a reclined chair once my eye was numb. The healthcare practitioner cleaned the skin around my eye and inserted a small clip to stop me blinking during the procedure. They asked me to look to one side and gave an injection into the opposite corner of the eye.
The injection only took a few seconds; it wasn’t painful at all. I just felt a bit of pressure on my eye. The whole procedure only took about 20 minutes after the injection. I had my vision checked again and was given eye drops to take home. I was told my next appointment would be in 4 weeks. I was also told to watch out for any persistent new issues with my eyesight, like loss in my vision or straight lines that appear wobbly or patchy vision, and to contact the eye clinic straight away if I had any of these problems. My vision has already improved a lot, so I’m really glad I went to the Opti when I did.