We work closely with the consultant ophthalmologists and optometrists as well as other departments as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including stroke rehabilitation team. The department is an accredited centre for the teaching of Orthoptic Students from University of Liverpool, Sheffield and University College of London.
Routine Orthoptic appointments last approximately 20 minutes for children and 40 minutes for adults. Your appointment will be longer if you have a joint appointment to see the Ophthalmologist and/or Optometrist. As we are a teaching hospital you maybe seen by a student Orthoptist. Please inform the receptionist if you do not wish to be seen by a student working under supervision.
You may need to have drops put into your eyes on the day of your appointment. These dilate (enlarge) the pupil and blur your vision. As your vision will be blurred for some time following the drops, it is advised that you do not drive yourself to your appointment and make alternative travel arrangements. For your first appointment please bring a copy of your current glasses prescription with you.
The Voucher System
If your child requires glasses after their eye examination, you will be given a voucher by the hospital to help pay for the cost of the glasses. The amount of money is dependent on the strength and / or type of lenses needed. It should be possible to obtain a pair of glasses within the voucher price.If you decide to purchase a more expensive pair of glasses, you are likely to be charged for repairs.
How to use the voucher
- The voucher must be taken to a registered optician. The voucher is valid for 6 months, but you should obtain the glasses as soon as possible. As children’s glasses often require adjustment or repairing it is advisable to go to a local optician.
- Take your child with you when you order the glasses and when you collect them to ensure a good fit. Ask if there is a dispensing optician available who is trained in the fitting of glasses. It is important that glasses sit correctly on the face to ensure maximum effect. They should not slip down when the child looks down.
- Your child should wear the glasses all the time unless instructed otherwise by the eye doctor or Orthoptist.
Broken or lost glasses
Return to the optician who provided the glasses. A voucher from the hospital is not required. If the glasses were free then the optician will repair or replace the glasses free of charge for up to a year. It is important your child has their glasses for all their hospital appointments.
Spare pair of glasses
There is no entitlement to a spare pair of glasses however this is possible in some circumstances, but this depends on clinical need. You may purchase a spare pair from your optician. This also applies to prescription sunglasses.
Future eye tests for glasses
You will be advised when your child needs another test for glasses by your hospital Orthoptist or Eye doctor. Tests are normally carried out once a year but occasionally it is necessary to re-test children more frequently
- Paediatric Orthoptic Services: These appointments will be at QA Hospital or Gosport War Memorial Hospital.
- Adult Orthoptic Services: These appointments will be at QA Hospital.
- Paediatric Screening services: These appointments will be at Battenburg Avenue Clinic (Portsmouth) or Oakpark Medical Centre (Havant).
- Paediatric Refraction Services: These appointments will be at QA Hospital.
- Special School Services: We run a Special Schools Service where we routinely visit the special schools within Portsmouth, Fareham and Waterlooville area to provide routine eye tests for children with known eye problems within their school environment