Your questions, answered.

You can usually arrange a private consultation directly without needing a GP referral.

If you intend to use private medical insurance, your insurer may require a referral or pre-authorisation before the appointment.

Contact us to arrange a consultation.

Your consultation begins with a discussion about your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and visual priorities.

Mr Hussien will carry out an appropriate eye examination, which may include specialist imaging or other diagnostic tests.

Your findings, treatment options, expected benefits and relevant risks will be explained, with time to discuss your questions.

Mr Hussien provides private ophthalmic care in Newcastle upon Tyne, with practice privileges at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and CHEC Newcastle.

Your appointment or procedure location will depend on the service required and will be confirmed when booking.

You may be able to use private medical insurance for eligible consultations or treatments, depending on your policy and your insurer's requirements.

Please check your cover and obtain any required authorisation before attending.

Elective refractive surgery and premium lens options may not be covered by insurance.

Fees depend on the type of consultation, investigations and treatment required.

Information about applicable charges can be provided before booking. If surgery is recommended, the relevant professional and hospital fees, and what is included in the quotation, will be explained.

Cataracts often develop gradually, causing blurred vision, glare, reduced contrast or difficulty driving at night.

Surgery is generally considered when the cataract affects your vision or daily activities, or when there is another clinical indication.

The decision is personalised and does not depend on age alone.

Cataract surgery is commonly performed under local anaesthesia, usually with anaesthetic eye drops.

Most patients experience little or no pain during the procedure, although bright lights, pressure or mild discomfort may be noticed.

Other anaesthetic options may be considered when appropriate.

Your need for glasses depends on the type of intraocular lens selected, your eye health and your visual requirements.

Some lens options may reduce dependence on glasses for certain distances or activities.

However, complete freedom from glasses cannot be guaranteed.

Premium intraocular lenses are designed to address additional visual needs beyond conventional monofocal correction.

Depending on their design, they may correct astigmatism or provide a wider range of useful vision.

Lens selection requires careful assessment because not every design is suitable for every eye.

Potential side effects, including glare or halos with certain multifocal designs, will be discussed during your consultation.

Both procedures involve removing the natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens.

Cataract surgery treats a clouded natural lens. Refractive lens exchange is primarily performed to correct refractive error and reduce dependence on glasses, even when a visually significant cataract is not present.

Refractive lens exchange has important risks and is not suitable for everyone. A detailed assessment is essential.

Suitability depends on several factors, including your prescription, its stability, corneal shape and thickness, tear film and overall eye health.

A detailed refractive assessment is required to determine whether laser treatment is appropriate and which technique may be suitable.

Both procedures reshape the cornea using an excimer laser to improve the focusing of light.

LASIK involves creating a thin corneal flap before laser treatment.

PRK is a surface-based laser procedure without a corneal flap.

They have different recovery profiles, suitability criteria and potential risks.

An Implantable Collamer Lens is a specially designed artificial lens placed inside the eye, usually behind the iris and in front of the natural lens.

It can correct selected degrees of short-sightedness and astigmatism without removing corneal tissue.

ICL may be suitable for certain patients who are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction.

The internal anatomy of the eye and other safety factors must be carefully assessed before surgery.

Anaesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye during laser vision correction.

Most patients experience little or no pain during the treatment, although some pressure or unusual sensations may occur.

Temporary discomfort afterwards varies between procedures. Surface laser treatments such as PRK generally involve more discomfort during the early recovery period than LASIK.

Laser eye surgery aims to provide a lasting correction of your existing refractive error.

However, vision can change over time, and some patients may still require glasses or additional correction.

Laser surgery does not prevent age-related changes in near vision, known as presbyopia, or cataracts later in life.

Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea becomes progressively thinner and more irregular in shape.

This may cause blurred or distorted vision, increasing astigmatism and sensitivity to light.

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and whether it is progressing.

Learn more about keratoconus.

Corneal cross-linking is a treatment designed to strengthen corneal tissue using riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet-A light.

Its main purpose is to slow or stop progression of keratoconus and certain other corneal ectatic conditions.

Cross-linking is not primarily intended to eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

A corneal transplant may be considered when corneal disease, scarring, swelling or structural damage causes significant visual impairment that cannot be adequately managed with other treatments.

Modern techniques allow replacement of the full thickness of the cornea or only its affected layers, depending on the condition.

Explore corneal transplant surgery.

DMEK, or Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, replaces the innermost corneal layers: Descemet membrane and the endothelium.

It is commonly used in selected patients with endothelial conditions such as Fuchs endothelial dystrophy.

Penetrating keratoplasty replaces the full thickness of the central cornea. It may be needed when multiple corneal layers are affected.

Many patients with chronic dry eye experience meaningful improvement with appropriate treatment.

The first step is identifying contributing factors, which may include tear deficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation or environmental factors.

Treatment is tailored to the underlying causes and may include lubricants, eyelid treatments, prescription medication or other specialist approaches.

Dry eye is often a long-term condition that requires ongoing management rather than a single cure.

Recovery depends on the type of surgery performed, the condition of your eye and your individual healing response.

Some procedures allow a relatively rapid return to everyday activities, while others, particularly corneal transplantation, may involve a longer recovery period.

Mr Hussien will explain your expected recovery and any necessary precautions.

Eye drops are commonly prescribed after ophthalmic surgery to reduce inflammation, prevent or manage complications and support healing.

The type and duration of treatment depend on your procedure and clinical needs.

It is important to follow your prescribed schedule and not stop or change medication without appropriate medical advice.

Yes. Appropriate follow-up is an important part of safe surgical care.

The frequency and timing of your appointments depend on the procedure, your recovery and any underlying eye conditions.

Your follow-up arrangements will be explained as part of your treatment plan.

You should not drive immediately after eye surgery.

You may resume driving only when your vision meets the applicable legal driving standard and you have recovered sufficiently to drive safely.

This varies between procedures and individuals. Your surgeon will provide guidance based on your circumstances.

Severe or increasing eye pain, sudden deterioration in vision, marked redness or other concerning new symptoms following eye surgery require urgent assessment.

Contact the emergency number provided by your surgical team without delay. If you cannot reach the team, seek urgent assessment through an appropriate emergency eye care service.

Do not wait for your next scheduled follow-up appointment.