The Royal Eye Unit
Kingston Hospital
Galsworthy Road
Kingston
Surrey KT2 7QB
Parking and directions: https://kingstonhospital.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/outpatients/find-us/
Eye emergency clinic at Kingston Hospital’s Royal Eye Unit
Our eye emergency clinic in the Royal Eye Unit has now reopened following essential maintenance and renovation, to create more space and to improve the experience for our patients.
The walk-in eye casualty service at Kingston Hospital has been replaced with a booked appointment system. If you have an urgent eye problem, please phone 020 8934 6799 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm) so that we can book an appointment for you or signpost you to the most appropriate service for your requirements.
If you have an urgent eye problem outside of the hours of Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm, please call NHS 111.
Changes to low vision aid and contact lens services (January 2023)
Kingston Hospital previously used an external company to provide a low vision aids and specialist hospital contact lens service. Unfortunately, this company informed us that they are no longer able to provide the service and we are now working to bring this in house.
An Orthoptist has been recruited to undertake the low vision aid (LVA) clinics at Kingston Hospital and we are hopeful to be able to recommence appointments for this service from May/June 2023. Until then, the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) who is based in the Royal Eye Unit (REU) will provide support, where possible, to our LVA patients.
The contact lens service requires more specialised training and experience and unfortunately, we have not yet been able to recruit to this role. We are hopeful that we can appoint someone in the coming months, however this will mean a further delay in resuming the specialist contact lens service at Kingston Hospital.
As part of this ongoing work, we are also reviewing patient records to identify eligibility to access the service and any medical needs. It may be necessary to arrange a routine appointment for patients to be reviewed in the REU and we will be in touch if this is the case. Any patients who do not meet the eligibility criteria for hospital supplied medical contact lenses and/or low vision aids will be contacted to advise them they are being discharged from the service. This may be due to the patient’s location or if normal vision can be obtained using glasses.
For contact lens patients who have contacted us and are eligible to access the service, we have begun referring to the Moorfields Eye Centre at St Georges Hospital in Tooting so that patients can continue to access these services while they are unavailable at Kingston Hospital.
For any queries relating to these services, please contact the Ophthalmology Administration team on 020 8934 6404 or email khft.reuhelpdesk1@nhs.net.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience. We are working hard to re-establish these services as soon as possible and will continue to keep patents informed by letter, as the services become available again.
Our services include:
Primary Care Services
If you are older than 5 years old and are registered with either a Richmond or Kingston GP practice you maybe sign posted to a local optician who offers consultation on a range of minor eye conditions. This service is known as MECS (minor eye conditions services). Find out more.
If you are any age and are registered with a neighbouring Merton & Wandsworth GP practice you may be sign posted to a local optician who provide a minor eye conditions service (MECS). Find out more.
Out of hours
If you have an urgent eye problem out of hours, please contact your local accident and emergency department. Thank you for your co-operation
Outpatients
Your optician or GP can refer you to our clinic, where appointments are held on Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 5pm.
Raynes Park Outpatient Clinic
We run glaucoma and medical retinal clinics at Raynes park Health Centre. You can speak to us there on 020 8973 5060.
Laser Clinics
Please contact your optician or GP to be referred for an appointment at the Royal Eye Unit on Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 5pm.
Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) – PES and CCG letter
Urgent Eyecare Services – Poster 1
Urgent Eyecare Services – Poster 2
Eye Theatre
For appointment enquiries or to change an appointment please call 020 8934 6404.
Office Opening Hours
Our office hours are 9.00am-5.00pm. To contact the Eye Unit please call 020 8934 6404.
Patient feedback
“I called the Royal Eye Unit this morning, was given an appointment straight away. Was in and out within 90 minutes which included seeing a nurse, a technician for a scan and a doctor and the whole time I felt so safe and every member of staff was so cheerful and happy to help.”
Tel: 020 8934 6404
