Children's ophthalmology
The Paediatric Ophthalmology service at Barts Health NHS Trust is designed for children who have, or are at risk of, ocular abnormalities.
This includes premature babies needing Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening, children who have failed eye checks by health visitors or opticians, and those experiencing vision issues, squints, or requiring specialised eye monitoring due to the risk of developing an eye condition.
Dedicated services for children with additional needs, hearing impairments and Down's syndrome, along with support from Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLO), are also available.
Where to find us across Barts Health
Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel, London E1 1FR):
Clinic 2, Ophthalmology, North Tower, 6th Floor.
Whipps Cross University Hospital (Whipps Cross Road, London E11 1NR):
Eye Treatment Centre (ETC) and Children's Outpatients (Junction 4).
Newham University Hospital (Glen Road, London E13 8SL):
Health Central (Junction 6).
What to Expect from Your Appointment
At a paediatric eye appointment, the process and duration can vary based on the type of assessment required. Your child may be seen by one or more specialists, including doctors, orthoptists, optometrists, and nurses, who will check vision, eye movement, and other aspects of eye health. Some appointments may involve the use of eye drops to dilate the pupils for a more detailed examination, which can extend the length of the visit. Appointments typically range from one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the assessment. It is important to arrive on time, as late arrivals may result in the appointment being rescheduled.
Children can be accompanied by a Play Specialist to help make their experience more comfortable. Translation services via LanguageLine are also available—please inform the hospital if you require this support.
The Paediatric Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO) service
Guide Dogs is a national charity supporting people with visual impairments. Its ECLO Services provide emotional and practical support to families from diagnosis onward, working with Paediatric Ophthalmology specialists at the hospital. They offer guidance on eye conditions, welfare rights, and connects families to sensory services and other Guide Dogs programmes, including education, buddy dogs, and technology.
Out of hours
Patients with emergency medical problems should seek referral via their GP or the local Emergency Department. The clinical care of patients admitted in an emergency is shared between our paediatrics medicine teams.
Emergency referrals can also be made through the on-call Ophthalmology doctor via switchboard, on: 020 7377 7000
Refer to us
GPs wishing to refer patients into some Barts Health services need to do this through a process known as 'advice and referral' (A&R) using the advice and guidance (A&G) pathway on eRS.
Patients can also be referred to us by Choose and Book.
Requests for advice and guidance can be submitted through Choose and Book. A clinician will respond to this within five working days.
Transitioning to Adult Services
For those transitioning into adult services with learning disabilities, several options are available. Eye tests can be accessed through local opticians using SeeAbility Charity, which helps find optometrists offering reasonable adjustments. Some opticians also provide home visits for eligible individuals. If local assessments are unsuitable or there are specific concerns, referrals to the specialist hospital Ophthalmology ALD clinic can be made via a GP. Those already accessing care in a paediatric ophthalmology clinic may have their care transitioned automatically.
Please contact our dedicated mailbox with any ALD queries: bartshealth.aldeyeclinic@nhs.net.
