Ophthalmology clinical outcomes

Clinical outcomes are measurable changes in health, function or quality of life that result from our care. Constant review of our clinical outcomes establishes standards against which to continuously improve all aspects of our practice.

The Ophthalmology service at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) provides specialist treatment for complex eye disease in children. We treat a wide range of conditions: 

• corneal and anterior segment disorders - including corneal transplantation
• congenital and childhood onset glaucoma
• congenital and childhood onset cataract
• eye movement disorders and strabismus associated with neuro-ophthalmic disease
• oculoplastic and orbital disorders
• uveitis and inflammatory eye disease
• vitreo-retinal disorders - including retinal complications of prematurity

Complications resulting from surgery can occasionally cause patients to be readmitted to hospital. The rate of readmissions is a standard hospital outcome that is monitored to reduce complications and improve care. The table below shows the number of patients discharged from the ophthalmology specialty who have a non-elective (emergency) readmission within 30 days of discharge (excludes day cases).

Numerator: number of inpatient discharges under the ophthalmology specialty that have a subsequent non-elective readmission within 30 days of discharge from GOSH.

Denominator: number of all inpatient discharges from GOSH under the ophthalmology specialty. Day cases are excluded.

Due to the complexity of some operations or related to complications during surgery, a small number of patients may need further surgery that was unplanned. To help reduce this occurrence and its potential effects on outcome and patient experience, we monitor the rate of patients who return to theatre soon after a procedure. The table below shows the number of patients who have an unscheduled return to theatre within seven days of previous scheduled surgery under the ophthalmology specialty.

Numerator: number of unscheduled theatres cases (any specialty) within seven days of previous scheduled theatre case under the ophthalmology specialty.

Denominator: number of scheduled theatres cases under the ophthalmology specialty.

Readmissions and returns following ophthalmic surgery are very rare. The GOSH Ophthalmology department holds a weekly meeting in which clinical cases are discussed. Proposed and ongoing clinical management is determined using a multidisciplinary approach.

This information was published in December 2024.