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Ophthalmology is the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the eyes.  Our ophthalmic services are provided in purpose-built facilities at Derriford Hospital.

• Outpatients and Urgent Care is located on level 3. Please follow the yellow signs around the hospital with REI written on them. You can also access it through the entrance on level 3, opposite the blood donation centre.
• The Day Case Unit and Theatres are based in a modular facility in Car Park F

The REI (formerly known as the Royal Eye Infirmary) provides a specialist service for the population of Devon and Cornwall for all emergency, inpatient and daycase procedures and the hospital hosts its own theatres, ward and outpatient suites.

The majority of ophthalmology work is elective (outpatient, day case or inpatient) although Ophthalmology Urgent Care treats emergency cases. 

The REI provides a full range of diagnostic facilities incorporating orthoptics and optometry with plans to expand the dispensing element of the service.

Ophthalmologists are supported by the following specialist services:

• Optometry: The measurement of visual refraction power and the correction of visual defects with lenses or glasses
• Perimetry: The measurement of the field of vision (visual fields)
• Orthoptics: The study and treatment of defects in binocular vision (using both eyes equally)
• Medical Photography of the eyes which forms an essential element.

Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) Patient Leaflet