NHS Ophthalmology (Eye Care) Referral Waiting Times in London

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an ophthalmologist is

17 weeks

That's 4 months

The NHS Ophthalmology (Eye Care) waiting list at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has 91 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 17 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Ophthalmology (Eye Care) patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the London region. Waits at this hospital are about 4.5 weeks longer than in February 2025. It's slipped down 80 places in the national league for this department's; now 292 out of 298 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
16.8weeks
▲ +4.5 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▼ -14.1 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
91
▲ +26
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
0
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
91
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
38 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer

Wait time over time

Median wait for this department, with the national average as a dashed line.

▲ +4.5 wks

How long are people waiting?

Distribution of patients by how many weeks they've been on the waiting list.

How does this compare?

The national average wait to see an ophthalmologist is about 9 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 292nd out of 298 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 27th out of 27 in London

What does Ophthalmology (Eye Care) cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Cataract surgery
Glaucoma treatment
Macular degeneration
Diabetic eye screening
Squint correction
Tear duct problems
Eyelid surgery
Laser eye treatment
Retinal detachment

Hospital contact

Main hospital switchboard. ask to be connected to the department.

St George's Hospital, London, SW17 0QT
020 8672 1255
NHS South West London Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Ophthalmology (Eye Care) waiting list at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 91 patients on its Ophthalmology (Eye Care) waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 17 weeks.

Does St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Ophthalmology (Eye Care)?

About 51% of Ophthalmology (Eye Care) patients at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are currently seen within 18 weeks of GP referral. The NHS constitutional target is 92%.

Can I choose a different hospital if the Ophthalmology (Eye Care) wait is too long?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England can ask their GP to refer them to any hospital that provides NHS care. Use WaitRadar to compare Ophthalmology (Eye Care) waiting times at other NHS hospitals near you before accepting a referral.

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.