FAQ

Consultations

My consulting room is at the Albyn Hosital (visit our location page)

The new Ophthalmology consulting rooms, are in the main hospital building. Please report to main reception on arrival.  You will be asked to check your address and contact details, and then won’t have long to wait before I meet you. Complimentary refreshments, television and free wi-fi are available in the lounge.

Ophthalmology

Medically-qualified eye specialists: Eye Specialists or Eye Surgeons, we train as doctors through medical school, then spend on average nowadays 9-10 years in general medical postgraduate training, then ophthalmic specialty training (“specializing”) in hospital eye departments, before becoming a Consultant in our early to mid 30’s, almost always based in the Hospital setting.

Ophthalmology is the medical specialty dealing with problems and diseases of the eye and the surrounding tissues, and the visual system.

An ophthalmologist deals with any medical or surgical condition of the eye, and its surrounding structures (lids, orbit, muscles) and brain connections; in any age of patient from premature neonates to the most elderly. We now work closely with Opticians (also known as Optometrists) some of whom work in the hospital, but who mostly see patients in their own “High St” businesses. I am delighted to take direct referrals from Opticians.

Some of our time is spent in the out-patient clinic; the rest performing surgery in the operating theatre, the commonest of which is cataract surgery, a delicate microsurgical procedure. We also know about the detailed optics of the eye, and are trained to test eyes for glasses especially in Children – but for detailed adult glasses testing, and dispensing spectacles, Opticians have expertise.

Private Insurance

I am delighted to see both self-funding and insured patients. I am recognised by most major medical insurance companies ( Aviva, Vitality, WPA, CIGNA, Bupa and more) and fee-invoicing is usually done directly with the insurer, but only if you have pre-authorized the appointment and bring your insurance number and pre-authorisation code. If not, you will be invoiced as a self-paying patient, and you may claim back from your insurer yourself, in your own time. It is usual to have an excess to pay yourself: please let us know if this is the case. Insurance companies lower their reimbursements year by year, and consequently, increasingly, your insurance may not cover my standard fee and you may be liable for a co-payment/shortfall – I will advise if this is the case.

You must keep your insurer informed of your referral, so the consultation and any subsequent treatment can be authorised. Please bring your insurance details and authorisation with you to your first consultation.  I will discuss the fee of any procedure you may require, if I feel that your insurance will not adequately cover this (although most Insurers do). Insurance Companies must always be informed by you, if you are proceeding with any surgical intervention or procedure, so as to pre-authorize the surgery (this “guarantees” to you that you will be adequately covered). The insurer usually requires the OPCS code, and the intended date of the procedure, both of which I will provide to you. If you have not contacted the insurer, but regardless proceed with a consultation or procedure, you will be liable for payment. If in doubt, the Pre-Authorisation Office at the Albyn can help you too.

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