The Department of Ophthalmology at the Eye Ear and Mouth Unit (EEMU) is the largest specialised eye unit in the South-East of England, serving a total population of 1 million.

There are 16 consultant ophthalmic surgeons each specialising in a particular branch of ophthalmology ensuring that there is treatment available for all eye conditions locally. Furthermore, there is a busy emergency service from Monday to Friday during normal working hours and an out-of-hours emergency service 7 days a week (services are referral only).

As well as providing a full and comprehensive general and sub-specialty service, the Department of Ophthalmology is fully committed to teaching, training and research.

It is the major training unit for postgraduate speciality trainees in the Kent Surrey and Sussex region. It also has responsibilities to provide teaching to undergraduate medical students of King’s College Hospital and Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital Medical Schools.

With so much specialised surgery being offered by highly experienced consultant surgeons, there is ample opportunity for higher specialty trainees/ Fellows to hone their diagnostic and surgical skills in preparation to become consultants themselves.

Currently, there are Fellows in Oculoplastics, Medical and Surgical Retina and Glaucoma with plans for another three more Fellows for 2015. This demonstrates the department’s commitment to teaching and training at the highest level for specialists of the future.

The Department of Ophthalmology is also a very active and award-winning research centre with many clinical trials already completed as well as on-going. A very supportive Research and Development unit combined with a healthy research-orientated ethos within the Trust facilitates the completion of many important national and international clinical trials which are vital in providing us with information to further improve the treatment and care of our patients.

The Department of Ophthalmology at EEMU is fully equipped with all the latest diagnostic and surgical technology, which is upgraded on a regular basis. There are plans to expand the facilities as well as to incorporate new technologies to ensure that our department offers the very best cutting edge clinical care in this part of the UK.