Getting your diagnosis
Who may be involved?
Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO)
In all but the most severe cases, you’ll probably be seen initially by an Optician, although for more specialist investigations you’ll likely be seen by a hospital eye consultant (also known as an Ophthalmologist), or a specialist hospital eye nurse (also known as an Ophthalmic Nurse).
FAQ
What kinds of routes are there into eye care?
Your first contact with eye care can be through a number of possible routes – it can be from a routine appointment with your high street Optician (also known as an Ophthalmic Optician or Optometrist), advice from the NHS 111 service, a referral from your GP, or at Accident and Emergency following an accident. If you are being referred, then whoever is responsible should explain who you are being referred to, and why.
Can I prepare some questions to take into my appointment?
It’s a good idea, if you’re able to, to prepare any questions you might have in advance and to let them know of any support needs you have at the appointment. If your appointment is in a hospital, depending on your circumstances, you might be able to get help with transport, so you can ask about that too. If you want to talk to someone before your appointment for advice, you can contact a member of Wales Vision Forum for help.
During the appointment, you should ask any questions that you might have. The clinician will be able to explain the reason for any tests they’ll carry out, provide information about your eye condition so that you can be informed and know how to look after your eyes, and where to get support to help with any concerns or anxiety you might have.
If you forgot to ask a question at your appointment, don’t be afraid to contact them again to follow up on anything that still worries you.
You can ask:
- about your eye condition and how it might develop;
- how to access information about your condition;
- what your treatment options are;
- what can be done of there is no available treatment for your condition;
- about genetic testing and how to access it if needed;
- about practical and emotional support and counselling.
What happens next?
You might be referred for further tests – whoever is referring you should provide information about any waiting times (and where to get updates) and who to contact if you have questions.
I have trouble traveling to my appointments. Is there any help with this?
If you have difficulty getting to the hospital eye clinic, you may be able to get help with transport through the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service. You can check your eligibility at the NEPTS website.
Where can I find support for my appointment?
Wales Council of the Blind is the umbrella organisation for all of the local, regional and national charities that provide information, advice and practical and emotional support for people with eye conditions. You can learn more at the About Eye Conditions dropdown list on Perspectif.
If you have any doubts about what support might be useful to you (if you are new to eye care, you often won’t always know what’s out there) you can get in touch with an organisation that has a specialist knowledge of your condition.
One or more of the following should help:
- Macular Society (for eye conditions affecting the macular)
- Glaucoma UK (for ocular hypertension and glaucoma)
- Diabetes UK (for diabetic eye conditions)
- Retina UK (for genetic eye conditions)
- RNIB (for any eye condition)
More information can be found at our Support from other organisations page.
Questions you might have after your initial appointment
I have had a change in my vision while waiting for my appointment. What should I do?
Contact your optician if you have any changes in your sight, or pain which you’re worried about.
How do I get information and advice about my eye condition?
Your optician or eye doctor and their staff should be able to give you relevant information.
However, if you’d rather talk to someone in a less pressured environment, you can talk to a member of the Wales Vision Forum when you’re ready. They will have relevant information, and people who have been in similar situations to you that you can chat to for advice, with experience of supporting people with eye conditions.
You can learn more about your eye condition at the About Eye Conditions dropdown list on Perspectif. This will take you to a glossary where trusted relevant services and publications are listed beneath.
How do I access emotional support?
The organisations above should be able to provide emotional support. There is also a list of organisations at this emotional support page at Perspectif.
How long might I be waiting and how urgently should I be seen?
Your hospital eye doctor or optician will tell you how urgently you need to be seen. Waiting times vary depending on the urgency of your case and the availability of resources.
Your hospital eye department should be able to update you on the waiting list if you contact them. It helps to let them know that you are keen to be seen as soon as possible.
If you’re not happy with the waiting time, you can contact the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service who can advise you on how to proceed.