NHS Paediatric Ophthalmology Waiting Times
The average NHS Paediatric Ophthalmology wait in England is 15 weeks, but it ranges from 10 weeks at Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust to 19 weeks elsewhere. That gap is yours to use — you have a legal right to choose where you are treated.
What Paediatric Ophthalmology covers
Paediatric ophthalmology covers children's eye problems — a squint (turned eye), lazy eye, blocked tear ducts, drooping eyelids, and vision problems picked up at a school or health visitor check. Many children are seen by an orthoptist first and only need surgery in a minority of cases.
People are usually referred here for
- A squint or turned eye
- Lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Watery or sticky eyes from a blocked tear duct
- A drooping eyelid
- Failed vision screening at school
15w
Avg treatment wait
10w
Shortest wait
19w
Longest wait
5
Hospitals reporting
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Shortest Paediatric Ophthalmology waits in England
| # | Hospital | Region | Avg treatment wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust | North West | 10w |
| 02 | Birmingham Women`s and Children`s NHS Foundation Trust | Midlands | 13w |
| 03 | Sheffield Children`s NHS Foundation Trust | North East & Yorkshire | 14w |
| 04 | University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust | Midlands | 17w |
| 05 | University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust | South West | 19w |
Average Paediatric Ophthalmology wait by region
Were you referred somewhere else?
The same problem is sometimes handled by a different department, and the wait can be very different. Check these too:
Your right to choose a Paediatric Ophthalmology hospital
Under the NHS Constitution and the Health Act 2009, you have a legal right to choose which NHS or NHS-commissioned independent sector provider sees you for your first outpatient Paediatric Ophthalmology appointment.
Your GP must refer you via the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) and offer you at least five choices. If you have already been referred to a hospital with a long wait, you can ask your GP to re-refer you to a provider with a shorter wait. This is entirely within your rights.
Research shows the average extra distance to a significantly shorter wait is just 13 miles.
Read the full Paediatric Ophthalmology Right to Choose guide →Ready to find a shorter Paediatric Ophthalmology wait?
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