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, a community centre for glaucoma patients in South Liverpool Treatment Centre, Garston and a screening service for diabetic retinopathy across a number of community locations.

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.

Aintree and Royal services

  • Cataract
  • Glaucoma
  • Medical Retina – diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration
  • Ocular motility (squint, strabismus) – adult and paediatric
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Optometry
  • Orthoptics
  • Imaging.

Royal site only services

Aintree site only services

  • Oculoplastics
  • Ophthalmology Acute Referral Service (OARS). Provides rapid patient review and advice - you can be referred here by your GP.

We have visiting consultants from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and some of our consultants go to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to look after children needing vitreoretinal surgery and some go to Liverpool Women’s Hospital to do screening for retinopathy of prematurity.

Our team comprises consultant ophthalmologists, specialty doctors, fellows (many visiting from overseas, for special training), doctors in training (residents), specialist nurses, optometrists (opticians) and orthoptists, imaging technicians and healthcare assistants, supported by a management team and administrative and clerical staff.

More information

You might be referred to the Ophthalmology Department by your GP, an optician our Emergency Department. Your case will be prioritised depending on its urgency.

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.

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 us, we can help 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.

General information for patients:

Sight loss: What we needed to know

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

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

Read the RNIB Equality Act toolkit.

Sight loss and driving

The UK Government has published guidelines entitled, Visual Disorders: Assessing Fitness to Drive to give advice to medical professionals.