Glaucoma consultants

[Maximi]

I am trying to find a private Glaucoma consultant for my area but as I don't drive it's difficult.

I'm not happy with my NHS one as he won't respond to my concerns about drops.

Does anyone know the best way of finding a private clinic?

[Rainyday2024]

Hi Maximi,

Whereabouts do you live? I no longer drive and in order to visit my (private) consultant, I have used volunteer drivers in the past who have always been very good.

I can recommend my consultant, but he is in the Birmingham area, but I know a lot of his patients travel quite long distances to see him.

Regards

[Maximi in reply to Rainyday2024]

Thank you. I live near Lichfield. My nearest private clinic is Little Aston but it's hard to get to by public transport.We do have volunteer transport but I don't think they cover that area from here

Thanks

[Rainyday2024 in reply to Maximi]

Is that the Spire Private clinic? I went there a couple of times but had a volunteer driver. It is a bit out of the way! The consultant I now see is based in Edgbaston - would that be easier for you to get to by public transport? I would highly recommend my consultant/surgeon if you were able to get to Edgbaston.

[warwickshire_singh in reply to Maximi]

Have a look at Mr Velota Sung. he has treated me (on the NHS) for Uveitic Glaucoma at BMEC since 2013. such a brilliant man. I get emotional talking about him, that's how much he means to me

[Goatiegoat in reply to Maximi]

I asked my GP to refer me to the QE in Birmingham where there is an excellent glaucoma clinic. NHS that is. Easy to get to by train from Lichfield on the direct service to University station. I have seen a number of consultants privately but the service I’m now getting is just as good if not better.

[Jtansey1 in reply to Maximi]

Hi. I can highly recommend ahpo eye centre in burton on trent. Iv been seeing Mr biswas there and Iv now never looked back to the nhs. He has saved my sight after the neglect from the nhs. The eye centre is a 10 minute walk from burton train station

[Maximi in reply to Jtansey1]

It was Mr Biswas who gave the original diagnosis at the NHS hospital in Burton.This has now been changed by my new consultant at another hospital. He is saying it's not Glaucoma but raised pressure and wants me to use Taptiqom drops instead of Monopost. These could affect other health issues that I have.

[Jtansey1 in reply to Maximi]

Ahh. Well just from my past experience biswas is who I trust and he has dealt with myself and my mum now for over 20 years. I think appointments at ahpo to see him are £140 and I think a small fee for joining is asked too. He took me off eye drops in the end and has just done two trebeculectomies on my eyes and now my pressures average at 8 in each from 20+ before

[NewSh0e]

I found mine using Top Doctors website; you can sort by location and condition and then view patient ratings. I found it very helpful in making a decision. I also came across the list of top glaucoma specialists globally and quite a few are based in the UK. Good luck!

[SIMONE75]

I did this privately some years ago but reverted back to NHS which I found to be much better in the end. I know that sounds strange ge but it’s true for me. Sometimes you can just be better changing hospitals. You are allowed to do that as this is what I did - I asserted my right to referred to another hospital and my care has been brilliant. It’s just a thought and as it’s teaching g hospital I get the latest in scans etc

[Sorshup]

I believe Peter Shah, who led the recent GUK online webinar is at Edgbaston and possibly at QE NHS

[Goatiegoat in reply to Sorshup]

No, Prof Shah retired from his NHS work at the QE two years ago.

[Sorshup in reply to Goatiegoat]

Thanks for the update.

[Nonswimmer]

Spire Hospital has a private ophthalmologist Mr Dan Calladine this gentleman is the founder of Ocu-Plan, a service for glaucoma patients to pay a monthly subscription for private medical care. Could this be worth looking into?

[Maximi in reply to Nonswimmer]

Thanks but Spire hospital is too difficult to get to.

[Nonswimmer in reply to Maximi]

Good Morning, Specsavers do a pressure and distance test, plus an OCT scan for macular degeneration for which it is possible to pay private approximately £29.00.

My local independant optician does not have an OCT scanner.

My visual field tests are always done at my hospital appointments apart from the DVL test

Would anyone have experience of Mr Calladines Ocu-Plan, would it only cover the Spire Hospitals near Birmingham?