"Wonderful care and competence"

I had an appointment at Moorfields Eye Hospital Clinic 5 under the care of The Doctor Miss Marinesco and her team.

The hospital was very well signposted with lots of information boards and water fountains. There were special lights to guide the very poorly sighted in. The reception staff were warm and welcoming.

I had been referred there because my Boots optician (optometrist) had observed "a narrowing of palpebral fissure when looking up and to the left" and also because my vision is blurred.

I promptly was sent to see Sam who is a graduate Orthoptist, which is a specialist in eye movement. She was calming, charming and pleasant. She worked very efficiently and quickly. She thoroughly explained the measurements she was taking. I was surprised that she was only mostly using what seemed like a slide rule when it came to the eye movements. I had expected lots of expensive electronic computer based equipment rather than her obvious tremendous skill and knowledge and the thorough measurements that she was taking. I was impressed that she was double checking some of the measurements if they were incongruous.

The result was very reassuring. My medical history includes a severe Traumatic Brain Injury and further Acquired Brain Injury and I was concerned that this might have led to some sort of neurological impact on the movement of my eyes. She informed the doctor to tell me that the lack of perfect movement was consistent with my age and she told me that it was of only minor concern.

I then saw Joanna who tested the pressure in my eyes. She too was very pleasant and cheerful. She first tested the pressure in my eyes again with what seemed like less high technology/less expensive equipment. She told me what the pressure in my eyes was and that it was within the normal range. That was good to know from the point of view of glaucoma which is caused by too high a pressure. Most opticians test this but they never tell you or explain the results, so for me this was again very helpful and reassuring. Joanna then put drops in my eyes to make them easier for the consultant to view in detail.

I am not sure if Miss Marinesco is a consultant or doctor but she certainly had the air of the former. She exuded confidence, experience and professionalism. She looked into my eyes from every angle. She explained the results from Sam. And then she soon told me that I had early cataracts developing in both eyes. She paused and gave me a chance to ask questions and of course I asked what happens next. I was told that for now my eyesight was reasonably good but that when it deteriorates I should be rereferred.

On reflection I would probably liked to ask more questions but then at the time I did not know the questions to ask. On the way out however there is a very comprehensive information room with several stands full of every possible diagnosis and other important information. I very quickly found a very comprehensive guide to Cataracts.

I also found information about research at Moorfields. It seemed to me that if they are currently doing research into how Cataracts develop and how they can slow down the process then I could help them and they could help me.

Thank you very much Miss Marinesco, Sam and Joanna for your wonderful care and competence.