Ophthalmology (Eye Department)

The Ophthalmology service provides a range of general and specialist eye care for both adults and children across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR). The service cares for a population of approximately 1.3 million patients registered with GP practices within the LLR area. The service also acts as a tertiary referral centre, receiving specialist cases from outside the LLR region.

The team includes 28 consultant ophthalmologists, supported by skilled doctors, nurses, optometrists, orthoptists, ophthalmic photographers, technicians, clerical, and management staff.

At the Leicester Royal Infirmary, the service has three outpatient clinic areas, three operating theatres, and an eye emergency (eye casualty) department. The service runs clinics across the county at the following locations:

  • Loughborough Hospital
  • Hinckley and District Hospital
  • Melton Mowbray Hospital
  • Coalville Hospital
  • Rutland Memorial Hospital
  • Market Harborough District Hospital
  • Syston GP Practice
  • Wigston
  • Earl Shilton

When you arrive, please check in at the reception desk. Your medical notes will be sent to your care team.

During your visit

You may need to see several team members, not just a doctor. This helps us provide complete and personalised care.

Please note:

  • Several clinics may be running at the same time.
  • We aim to see everyone in appointment time order, but patients may have different needs and tests that affect timing.
  • If you are concerned about waiting, please speak to the receptionist or a nurse.
  • Diabetic patients: Please bring enough food/snacks as there may be a long wait.
  • Ambulance patients are seen first – thank you for your patience.

Common tests and procedures

You may have some or all of the following:

  • Visual acuity test: reading the letter chart. This is done at every visit.
  • Visual field test: measures side vision. May be done before seeing the doctor.
  • Sight test: done by an optometrist to check your vision.
  • Eye movement test: done by an orthoptist if needed.
  • Dilating eye drops: these make your pupils larger so the doctor can examine your eyes.
    • Takes 20 minutes to work
    • Effects last 4–6 hours
    • Do not drive until the drops wear off
    • Bring sunglasses: your eyes will be sensitive to light
  • Eye scans/photos: done by ophthalmic photographers. You must be dilated for this.
  • Pre-Op assessment: if surgery is needed, a nurse may carry out your pre-operative check.

Who you might meet

  • Macular society volunteers: available Tuesday afternoons to support patients and families dealing with macular conditions.
  • Doctors and consultants: you’ll be seen by a specialist or someone from their team.
  • Nurses: for assessments and advice.
  • Optometrists & orthoptists: vision and eye movement experts.
  • Ophthalmic photographers: take detailed images of your eyes.
  • VISTA ECLOs (Eye Clinic Liaison Officers): provide support and advice if you’re affected by sight loss. Eye Clinic Liaison Officers help with daily activities, work, school, and emotional support. They may approach you, or you can ask to speak to them.
  • Macular Society Volunteers: available Tuesday afternoons to support patients and families dealing with macular conditions.

The eye department has clinics across three areas. Your appointment letter will tell you where to go. Most adult clinics are in the Balmoral and Windsor Eye Clinics (both on level 1). Some are also in the Orthoptic Department on level 0 of the Windsor building. If you’re not sure, ask at reception and they will help you.

Children are normally seen in the orthoptic department (level 0), where we have baby changing and bottle warming facilities.  There is also a play area, with play specialists on hand during certain clinic sessions.
Balmoral Eye Clinic
Accessibility information for Balmoral areas:

Windsor Eye Clinic Waiting Room

Accessibility information for Windsor Eye Clinic.

Accessibility information for the following areas:

Our specialist services

The Ophthalmology department has found new and better ways of working to help meet the high demand for our services. These include services such as virtual clinics in many popular areas, such as medical retina and glaucoma, and allied healthcare professional running clinics and telephone or video consultations.

  • Cataract pathway: look after patients who are referred for possible cataract surgery, from the initial referral to post-operative care. 
  • Cornea and anterior segment: care for patients with diseases and disorders of the cornea (the front of the eye), and with refractive and immunological problems.
  • Emergency Ophthalmology: based at LRI, they offer numerous emergency and urgent eye care provisions including walk-ins, rapid access clinics and community outreach hubs.
  • General Ophthalmology
  • Glaucoma: look after patients with glaucoma, or glaucoma suspects.
  • Neuro and paediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus, including nystagmus: care for patients with neurological conditions affecting the eyes.  We also look after adult patients with strabismus (or squints), and nystagmus (wobbly eyes). We care for all children with visual disorders, including inpatients in the Children’s hospital.
  • Oculoplastics and orbit: specialise in looking after patients with diseases and disorders of the eyelids, the tear drainage system, and the orbit surrounding the eye.
  • Medical retina: look after patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal dystrophies and acquired retinal disorders.
  • Surgical retina: perform laser and surgical procedures to treat conditions such as retinal tears/detachment, macular hole, epi-retinal membrane, vitreous haemorrhage (bleed in the eye), complicated cataract surgeries and ocular trauma.
  • Uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease: offers specialist care to patients suffering from Uveitis, or swelling within the eye.