Aintree Royal Liverpool Other

St. Paul's Eye Unit includes all adult ophthalmology services across Liverpool (Children attend Alder Hey Children's Hospital).

St. Paul's provides a world-renowned ophthalmic service that goes back more than 150 years.

It comprises of surgical and outpatient departments at Aintree University Hospital and Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and a community centre for glaucoma patients in South Liverpool Treatment Centre, Garston.

The unit deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of the eye and visual system, not only to the community of Liverpool, but to regional, national and international referrals.

Our team of specialist ophthalmologists has expertise in a wide range of eye conditions, and are supported by a team of nurses, optometrists, orthoptists, technicians, managers and administrators.

The Emergency Eye Department based at the Royal is for eye accidents, emergencies, and sight threatening conditions and can be accessed without an appointment.

St Paul's Eye Unit works closely with the Department of Eye and Vision Science at the University of Liverpool. We have a long tradition of translational research ("bench to bedside") and research and evidence based care of the highest quality, which is why St Paul’s Eye Unit continues to be the centre of excellence for both care and education.

Contact us

Tel: 0151 706 3222

Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm

St Paul's Emergency Eye Clinic

Monday to Sunday, 8am-8pm (arrive by 5pm), 0151 706 3949

For ophthalmic emergencies from 8pm-8am please go to the hospital’s general Emergency Department.

Outpatient services

Tel: 0151 706 3222

Inpatients waiting list (surgery, lasers & pre-operative care):

Tel: 0151 706 3990

Fundraising Office

Tel: 0151 706 4291 or email foundation@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

More information

You might be referred to St Paul’s Eye Unit by your GP, an optician or Emergency Department, your case will be prioritised depending on its urgency.

You will be contacted by phone to make your appointment, which will be confirmed by letter. 

If you’ve been placed on an outpatient waiting list, we’ll contact you by post.

If you need to change your appointment or cannot attend, please contact us.

On arrival at the hospital ask at reception if you need directions or assistance.

After your consultation, the receptionist may book a follow-up appointment for you, put you on an outpatient/inpatient waiting list, or direct you to the pre-operative assessment area if you require surgery.

Opticians

If you need to see an optician, you’ll be directed to the optometry department where you can pick glasses and book appointments for contact lens and low visual aid clinics.

South Liverpool Treatment Centre

Address:
32 Church Road
Garston
Liverpool
L19 2LW

The centre is open 8am-8pm and can be contacted on 0151 295 9000.

The centre has been developed by Liverpool Primary Care Trust in an effort to make the medical services available closer to people’s homes.

If you’re a patient with glaucoma, you can attend our clinic at the South Liverpool NHS Treatment Centre in Garston, instead of travelling into the city centre.

The clinics are held by the specialist team from St Paul’s Eye Unit, so you’ll receive the same quality of care as at Aintree University Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

If you would prefer to attend the clinic at the South Liverpool NHS Treatment Centre, please contact us on 0151 706 3222.

As well as the St Paul’s Eye Clinic, the centre also hosts a range of community clinics and specialised treatments including: ear, nose and throat (ENT), dermatology, audiology, gynaecology, physiotherapy, x-rays, blood tests, ultrasound scans, and local GP and dental practices.

At St Paul’s Eye Unit we have an in-house Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) who works to develop sight loss services within the hospital and is the link between the medical teams, patients and outside agencies.

If you, or the person you care for, is experiencing sight loss and need information and support, please contact our in-house ECLO, Corinna Swift, who can help you with:

  • Living with sight loss and maintaining independence
  • Visual aids and equipment
  • Benefits and concessions
  • Information on your eye condition
  • Emotional support
  • Other support services.

You can contact Corinna Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm:

Tel: 0151 706 3995
Textphone: 18001 0151 706 3995
Email: corinna.swift@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

General information for patients

If you, or a friend or family member, has been affected by sight loss, download our "Sight Loss: What we needed to know" booklet.

Put together by people living with vision loss who are at different stages of their vision loss journey, this booklet has lots of helpful information on the impacts of sight loss and the help available to you.

RNIB Equality Act

To read the RNIB Equality Act toolkit, please click here.

Sight loss and driving

The UK Government has published guidelines entitled, Visual Disorders: Assessing Fitness to Drive to give advice to medical professionals. To the read the guidelines please click here.