Child's strabismus - recommended hospitals Post Reply

[LuluDaffodil]

Hi everyone

My 2yo child potentially has a strabismus and has been referred by the GP for an appointment with a specialist. I can choose from three hospitals and I was wondering if anyone on Nappeyvalley had any experience with this and could advise which they would recommend?

- st Thomas' hospital (children's ophthalmology)
- Moorfield eye centre at St George's hospital
- Moorfield eye hospital

I assume I would see the same type of doctor but maybe some come more recommended than others? Hope you can help ))

Any suggestions would be much much appreciated!!!

Thank you everyone xxxxxx

[Raspberry]

I can't recommend highly enough Moorfield at City road. I went there every 6 months for the past 3 years with my now 3 and half year old son. We were referred because of a growth on his eyelid when he was 6 months. The staff is great with kids, their waiting rooms have play areas, they treat kids all day everyday, if you want to be in good hands go there. My son's eyelid's growth went after his first birthday, he has been wearing glasses for a year, now he doesn't need specific care, we are being transferred to Moorfield at st georges. The only downside of City road is that it is a hell of a journey to get there with a toddler....

[LuluDaffodil]

Fab - thank you. My first instinct was to go for Moorfields so I will definitely do that then, thank you. I'll just have to bear the look on the commuters' face when I head towards the northern line at peak time. Oh dear!!!

Thanks again ! X

[Asmac]

my son has been under Mr Morisson at Thomas's for the same. It's pretty easy to get to - either train to Waterloo or you can drive and park in their car park. Bit expensive but never had a problem getting a space. The children's ophthalmology department is a stand alone children's specialist department. It also has a playroom in the waiting room with lots of books, toys and a telly showing CBeebies. If he needs surgery that happens at the Evalina children's hospital next door which is a specialist children's hospital - all specialist nurses and doctors, playrooms on every floor etc.

Whichever you choose PM me of you want to chat.

[foodeditorjo]

I am obv not a toddler, but I had my strabismus corrected at Moorfields Eye Hosp about four years ago, having had an initial consultation with my surgeon at St George's. I can't remember his name now, but he was the most wonderful doctor - reassuring and professional. He also does NHS and private work, so to be honest, given that he does this op many times a month, it's a good option to go to Moorfields where they specialise in this kind of thing.

My op went really well and I couldn't praise the hospital more highly.

[legs11]

Hi

My son was diagnosed aged 2. We were referred to st George's but weren't offered an appointment for 6 months so we went private and saw graham Thompson at parkside who was great. After a year out insurance won't pay any more so we got referred to st George's where we still see graham Thompson. Only difference is that an appointment at st George's takes all afternoon whereas parkside was much quicker

I'd go with whichever is easiest for you to get to. They're all going to be good

[foodeditorjo]

My referral was much quicker than 6 months. Yes, go with whatever works best for you. My point really was that I was operated on by a very skilled surgeon who does both private and NHS work, so I got his expertise without having to pay for it! With something like strabismus, which is more of a cosmetic thing than a medical condition, I wouldn't have minded waiting longer in any case.

[legs11]

That's great you didn't have to wait and that you wouldn't have minded if you had but you're an adult. My son was 2! And it wasn't just cosmetic. His eyes were spinning around because they couldn't focus so he couldn't see!

[notjustamum]

My son had strabismus and was treated at St Thomas under Dr Amaya. I chose it initially as it was easier to get to than Moorfields (my son was 2 and I was pregnant at the time so not having to get the tube to Old St was a huge advantage!) and was really pleased with them. They tried specs and patching initially then had surgery at Evelina Hospital when he was 2.5 - the staff and facilities there were excellent, and the surgery was instantly successful. Please pm me if you want any details of the treatment or what to expect during or afterwards. And I agree - treating strabismus in toddlers is not cosmetic! Poor eyesight can really impact on their confidence, development and social skills. My son is now 4 and the sight in his bad eye (which was turned almost completely inwards) is improving all the time. Good luck with it!

[LuluDaffodil]

Wow - thank you all so much. Really appreciate all the advice. We did a test with the GP that seemed normal but I don't know for sure that it's only cosmetic. It seems to happen when she's tired but has been getting worse over the last few weeks.

I've booked my daughter an appointment at Moorfield's as the wait appears to be the same everywhere. I really hope it doesn't get too bad by then but at least she's in the system to get it checked.

Thanks so much again x

[muminsw12]

We paid for a private appt at Moorfields the first time as the wait felt too long for the NHS appts (my daughter was squinting quite badly at the time). I don't remember the name of the consultant we saw (I think it's the same whether private or NHS, but you can get an appt at a few days' notice rather than a few months'). We were then referred to the Moorfields NHS clinic at St George's. Taking into account the much reduced travel time, St George's is a good option once they've had the initial diagnosis. I always go for the first appt in the morning (we go every c 4 months so can get the first slot when we book for next one) and usually not too long a wait.

My daughter was prescribed glasses (prescription c +3.5 I think) and we've been told they should do the trick and she shouldn't need patching or anything more extreme.

[LuluDaffodil]

Hi Muminsw12, how much did it to go private for the first appointment and how did you go about it?

Thanks for your help xx

[muminsw12]

I think it was £300 or so (though that was nearly two years ago). I'm sure they'd tell you on the phone. I just phoned the number on their website for their private children's clinic and got an appointment within a few days (actually I think I was offered one the next day but it was not convenient). It was their suggestion to refer us to the NHS clinic at St George's for follow up so that wasn't at all awkward.