Ophthalmology (Eye Department)

Neuro-ophthalmology Service

Contact: (0191) 282 9192 - Ms Liz Cunliffe, Directorate Manager

There are many types of neurological and muscular conditions that can cause either sudden or gradual deterioration in your vision.  Here in Newcastle we provide a highly specialist Neuro-ophthalmology service based in our Eye Department at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), where two of our consultant ophthalmologists, Mr Philip Griffiths and Miss Margaret Dayan have significant experience in treating neurological eye disorders, seeing patients from all over the North of England.


Close working with specialist clinical colleagues

They work closely with colleagues from our Neurological Department seeking clinical expertise on conditions affecting the nervous and muscular systems, and one of our consultant neurologists joins them in clinic once a week. 

We also work closely with Newcastle’s Neuro-rehabilitation service based at Walkergate Park Hospital. All newly admitted patients are assessed to see whether or not they have vision and eye movement problems and those requiring further assessment are seen in our Eye Department at the RVI.

Specialist care for a wide range of conditions

You can be referred to our Neuro-ophthalmology service by either your own GP or doctor at another hospital which may not have the necessary expertise if you have any of the following conditions or symptoms:

  • unexplained loss of vision and visual field loss
  • double vision due to nerve damage (such as following a stroke or head injury) or muscle problems (such as myasthenia gravis)
  • loss of vision due to optic nerve (nerve of sight) disorders such as optic neuritis and inherited optic neuropathies
  • visual loss and eye movement disorders following head injuries

We also see patients who require botulinum toxin injections for eye conditions including involuntary movements of the eyelids (such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm), eye movement disorders and eye watering due to Bell’s Palsy.

Committed to advancing clinical care

The Neuro-ophthalmology service is actively involved in many areas of teaching and research and has close links with Newcastle University.  We have a large clinical trials unit which means that our patients can be offered the opportunity to try potential new therapies for their condition and are often first to benefit from ground-breaking new treatments.  Clinical treatment trials of inherited optic neuropathies are currently in well underway.

Contact us

If you would like to find out more information about any aspect of this service please contact:


Liz Cunliffe
Directorate Manager for Ophthalmology

Telephone:  (0191) 282 9192

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