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We are a multidisciplinary team consisting of three consultant eye specialists, one honourary consultant and a team of doctors, nine orthoptists and two optometrists (opticians). An orthoptist is trained to diagnose and treat eye conditions such as squints, lazy eye, reduced/blurred vision and double vision. An optometrist is trained to test for glasses or contact lenses. The child may be long sighted, short sighted or have astigmatism all of which may need correcting with glasses. In addition to the above conditions, the doctors see children with conditions such as, persistent 'red, sticky eyes', 'droopy eyelids', 'wobbly eyes' (nystagmus), glaucoma, cataracts or conditions affecting the back of the eye.
At Birmingham Children's Hospital caring for a child with retinoblastoma(RB) is a team effort. The members of the RB team are involved in the important decisions regarding the diagnosis, treatment and follow up for each child referred to our service. Doctors, orthoptists and nurses specialising in paediatric ophthalmology (children's eyes) are one part of that team.
Members of the RB ophthalmology team include:
Mr Manoj Parulekar, Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Mr John Ross Ainsworth, Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist
Mrs Jacky Nolan, Head of Eye dept
Mrs Sarah Turner, Retinoblastoma Liaison Orthoptist
Sister Maureen McCalla, Retinoblastoma Nurse Specialist
Specific areas of management provided by the Ophthalmic team
Providing information, advice and support to child and their family.
Assesment and monitoring of vision
Undertaking ophthalmic diagnostic tests and imaging of eye in order to make a diagnosis and monitor effectiveness of treatment.
Planning and undertaking local treatment and surgical interventions needed in the treatment of retinoblastoma.
Planning and arranging appointments for examination of eyes under general anaesthetic as well as in the eye dept.
Planning and arranging appointments for parents and siblings to undergo eye examinations either at Birmingham Children's Hospital or at a local centre.
Pre surgical preparation for those undergoing removal of an eye and post surgical support.
Management and training for those with artificial eyes
Acting as a liaison for child and family with genetics service, artificial eye service, orthoptics depts at other hospitals and other community health professionals.
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