The Ophthalmology department at NHS Ayrshire & Arran provides specialist clinics and surgery to assess and treat all types of eye conditions.
Our skilled team cares for both adults and children, offering everything from routine eye appointments to urgent treatment when needed.
Our eye unit has modern, high‑quality equipment and facilities to support safe and effective care.
Where we are
Ophthalmology assessments and treatments are provided in several locations. The main Ophthalmology department is based at University Hospital Ayr, where eye surgery is carried out in the Ophthalmic Day Surgery.
We also provide outreach clinics at:
- University Hospital Crosshouse (Outpatients Area 4, Ground Floor)
- Arran War Memorial Hospital
What we do
We provide clinics for a wide range of conditions and problems, including:
- urgent referrals (from Optometrists or the Emergency Department)
- glaucoma
- macular degeneration
- medical retina conditions
- diabetes
- minor operations and laser treatment
- angiography
- squints
- corneal conditions
- oculoplastic conditions
- vitreoretinal conditions (retinal eye surgery)
Who we are
Our Ophthalmology department also includes an Orthoptic team, who work closely with our consultants to assess and treat a wide range of eye conditions in both children and adults.
An Eye Clinic Liaison Officer works with the Ophthalmology team to provide information, emotional support and practical advice for people with sight‑affecting conditions.
The Ophthalmology team includes a range of specialists. Although your appointment letter may name a specific consultant, you may be seen by another member of their team. Not all team members are doctors, but everyone is fully trained and competent to carry out their role. You can find an explanation of the different staff groups below.
Doctors
Eye doctors, also known as ophthalmologists, use their specialist knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat eye conditions. They care for people of all ages, managing both short‑term (acute) problems and long‑term eye diseases.
Our consultants:
- Dr M Varikkara
- Dr Z Koshy
- Dr A Inglis
- Dr A Syrogiannis
- Prof S Srinivasan
- Dr G Fincham
- Dr K Michael
- Dr S Bhagat
- Dr B Hutchison
- Dr K Merchant
Optometrists
Optometrists, also known as opticians, carry out detailed eye examinations to check both vision and eye health. They assess how well you can see and diagnose refractive errors, prescribing glasses or contact lenses when needed.
Orthoptists
Orthoptists specialise in diagnosing and managing eye conditions that affect eye movements, visual development, and how the eyes work together. They care for patients of all ages.
Ophthalmic Medical Photographer
An Ophthalmic Medical Photographer is a trained medical photographer who specialises in taking detailed images of the eye. They use specialist cameras and scanning equipment to photograph or scan the eye, helping clinicians diagnose and monitor a wide range of eye conditions.
Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO)
Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) are non‑medical professionals who work in eye clinics to provide:
- information
- practical advice
- emotional support
They help anyone experiencing difficulties because of sight loss and can arrange onward referrals when needed. Support is also available for family members and carers.
Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioners
Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioners are qualified nurses who have completed additional specialist training in areas such as glaucoma or age‑related macular degeneration (AMD). They use their advanced skills and experience to assess, treat and support patients, helping to deliver high‑quality eye care.
Nurses
The nurses in the department are registered general nurses who assess and care for people with a wide range of eye conditions and injuries. They support patients throughout their treatment and help ensure safe, effective care.
Health Care Support Workers
Health Care Support Workers bring valuable experience from a range of backgrounds and complete specialist training for their role. They support the clinical team and help ensure patients receive safe, high‑quality care.
Clerical staff and medical secretaries
Our clerical staff and medical secretaries play an important role in the day‑to‑day running of the department.
Their work includes:
- supporting the clinical team with a wide range of administrative tasks
- booking clinics
- organising patient notes
- preparing clinic lists
- checking patients in
- typing letters
Emergency eye care
Many eye conditions can be assessed and treated more effectively through community optometry or dedicated ophthalmology pathways, rather than by attending your local Accident and Emergency Department.
Opticians usually provide routine eye tests and prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. However, community optometrists also offer a wide range of clinical eye care. They are often the best first point of contact if you develop new symptoms affecting your eyes or vision.
Across Ayrshire & Arran, optometrists are equipped to carry out detailed assessments, start treatment for many common eye conditions, and refer patients directly to specialist services when needed. They also have access to NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s acute ophthalmology referral pathways, ensuring that anyone who requires urgent specialist review can be seen quickly.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s ophthalmology service provides urgent eye care across its hospital sites, allowing patients to be assessed as close to home as possible. The service supports urgent referrals from community optometrists and offers extended hours to ensure timely treatment for conditions that could affect sight if not managed quickly.
This strong partnership between community optometrists and hospital ophthalmology teams has been in place for many years and supports thousands of patients each year. By directing people to the most appropriate service, NHS Ayrshire & Arran helps protect A&E for genuine emergencies while ensuring fast access to high‑quality eye care for those who need it.