Ophthalmology

The department provides ophthalmology in -patient and out-patient servies for patients with eye conditions to the population of County Durham and Darlington.

In-patient care for emergency treatment and elective surgery is also based at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Patients requiring ophthalmic surgery are treated on a day case basis at Darlington Memorial Hospital within the day surgery unit and at Bishop Auckland Hospital in the new Cataract Centre.

Out patient clinics are held at Darlington Memorial Hospital Bishop Auckland Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham.

The department provides a range of consultant and nurse led services such as nurse led minor operations (cyst removal).

Orthoptist and optician services are also provided across all main sites with orthoptist services at Shotley Bridge and Chester le Street Hospitals.

The department also acts as a resource for those seeking support from Action for the Blind.

Screening for Retinopathy of Premature babies is performed by members of the team of consultants at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The department has a well established Wet AMD treatment service with Lucentis injections at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy is available at all three main sites.