Ophthalmology

Who we Are

The eye department for Tayside is based in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. There are outpatient clinics in:

Perth Royal Infirmary (9am-midday) Monday-Friday
Stracathro Hospital (9am-4pm Tuesdays)
Arbroath Infirmary (9am-4pm Wednesdays) and
Montrose (Links Health Centre 9am-4pm Thursdays).

The department is multidisciplinary with specialist and general clinics. All sites can be accessed via switchboard on 01382 660111.

Who to Refer

The eye department takes direct referrals (acute or routine) from optometrists as per Community Eye Care guidelines, in addition to referrals from GPs. Optometrists are the recognised experts in community eye care, including the triage and assessment of acute eye presentations, as supported by the localised eye problem redirection pathway.
Pharmacies are able to redirect eye problems directly to optometrists and optometrists are able to request medicines from a limited list directly from pharmacists in accordance with the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland guidance.
Condition specific referral guidelines are available on the Community Eye Care website.
Please advise patients with suspected cataracts to attend their optometrist for assessment and referral where appropriate.

Who Not to Refer

Suspected temporal (giant cell) arteritis without eye symptoms should be discussed with rheumatology.
Amaurosis fugax should be directed to the stroke service (tay.nwstrokeunit@nhs.scot).
Diabetic retinopathy screening is a separate department (tayeyescreening@nhs.scot).
Cosmetic surgery is not offered routinely on the NHS.

How to Refer

Selected patients whom have recurrent conditions are individually advised how they can self refer.
Direct contact details for our post-op patients are: Monday to Friday 8am-8pm Ninewells Ward 25 01382 633825 or Ninewells Outpatient Area 6A 01382 632993. Saturday or Sunday 8am-4pm Ninewells Outpatient Area 6A 01382 632993 as per post-operative advice leaflet.
Emergency referrals or to discuss an emergency problem please contact the on call doctor via the switch board 01382 660111.
Urgent or routine outpatient referrals please submit via Sci Gateway.
Non–urgent advice an also be requested on Sci Gateway (Advice Referral). Please include any clinical photographs where relevant.

Alternatives to Referral

At GPs discretion it may be appropriate to redirect to an optometrist for comprehensive initial assessment and onward referral as per the agreed local pathway. Please note that patients should be asked to telephone the optometrist in the first instance, rather than to self present.