Private ophthalmology in Edinburgh: cataract, lens and eye care

Spire's treatment page for the two Edinburgh hospitals gives eye surgery a long list: cataract removal, refractive lens exchange, glaucoma treatment, retinal detachment surgery, dry eye treatment and eyelid surgery. The main page also features cataract removal and refractive lens exchange among its highlighted treatments.

Refractive lens exchange works like cataract surgery but is done on a clear lens, to reduce dependence on glasses. It is an elective choice with its own risks and limitations, so the consultation should compare it with glasses, contact lenses and laser correction. Retinal detachment surgery, by contrast, is urgent: a detached retina threatens sight and is normally dealt with through an emergency eye route.

Murrayfield and Shawfair Park share the list. Murrayfield, on Corstorphine Road, has free parking and a short walk up a steep driveway from the bus stop; Shawfair Park is a five-minute walk from the Sheriffhall Park and Ride, with free parking. Ask which site hosts the eye clinic and theatre sessions, and arrange a driver, because dilating drops make driving unsafe for some hours.

Nuffield Health Edinburgh lists ophthalmology among its specialties, with diagnostic imaging alongside outpatient appointments. The page does not detail procedures, so ask about the one you need.

On Colinton Road, in the south-west, the hospital is served by Lothian Buses routes 10, 27, 38 and 45. Free parking is offered after number-plate validation. The hospital says it endeavours to see private patients within a week and that referrals are preferred but not mandatory, which can matter if a worry about your sight has built up and you want it assessed quickly.

The Eye Pavilion on Chalmers Street, EH3 9HA, is NHS Lothian's specialist eye centre, with three operating theatres, two day care wards and an acute referral clinic. NHS Lothian lists acute referrals, cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, macular conditions with intravitreal injection therapy, neuro-ophthalmology, orthoptics, ocular prosthetics, paediatric eye care and retinal services.

The service describes about 130,000 patient contacts a year across the Eye Pavilion and St John's Hospital in West Lothian, and calls itself the highest-volume acute service delivered in Lothian. Some macular services also run from East Lothian Community Hospital.

An emergency, such as a chemical splash or sudden loss of vision, should be assessed through the NHS acute pathway. NHS Lothian directs non-critical problems to 111 first.

Cataract remains the commonest. Vision becomes hazy, colours dull and glare around streetlights worsens. Glaucoma needs lifelong monitoring of eye pressure and the optic nerve, with drops, laser or surgery. The wet form of macular degeneration needs regular injections, and diabetic eye disease follows screening. Dry eye, drooping eyelids and floaters are further reasons.

• Cataract assessment and surgery

• Refractive lens exchange to reduce glasses

• Glaucoma monitoring and laser or surgery

• Retinal problems and injection treatment

• Dry eye and eyelid problems

Ask these before the day of surgery, not afterwards, when you may find it harder to concentrate on instructions.

• Which site hosts your operation if you choose Spire.

• Whether the lens type is included in the quotation.

• The number of follow-up appointments and where they are held.

• What you do if your eye becomes painful or vision falls after surgery.

• Whether optometrist referral is needed for insurance.

NHS inform describes a 12-week standard for a new outpatient appointment and a 12-week Treatment Time Guarantee for inpatient or day-case treatment. Cataract operations are normally day cases, so the guarantee is the relevant measure. Current waiting times change and should come from NHS Lothian or Public Health Scotland.