We recently paid for new seating in the level 1 waiting area at Bristol Eye Hospital. Senior staff nurse Emma Sudol told us that replacements were “desperately needed” as the area’s old chairs were worn and torn.

Made in Britain by Ocura Healthcare Furniture, the new chairs have antimicrobial vinyl coverings and an ergonomic tub shape that provides an elevated level of comfort and support, which is especially appreciated when patients have to wait a while to be seen.

This grant cost £2,381.

24 October 2025

We recently paid for two indirect ophthalmoscopes, which are used to gain better imaging of eyes, particularly within paediatrics, to diagnose a range of different conditions. The Vantage Plus is the best device of its kind, providing 3-dimensional stereoscopic views of the retina through all pupil sizes, making examinations faster and easier.

One headset was for the paediatric clinic in Weston General Hospital, where the original version had been condemned by the hospital’s repair services. The second device will be used in the pre-op assessment unit.

This grant cost £9,152 for the two devices.

3 September 2025

We recently paid for a new B-Scan Plus to replace an old, faulty and “temperamental” predecessor.

Laura Barber, Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner at the BEH, writes: “The B Scan is an essential diagnostic tool in ophthalmology, particularly for patients with dense cataracts, vitreous haemorrhage, or trauma where direct visualisation of the posterior segment is not possible. It allows us to assess the internal structures of the eye quickly and accurately, which is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment, especially in emergency situations. Your continued support makes a real difference to the care we can provide, and we are incredibly grateful.”

This grant cost £9,544.30.

4 September 2025

We recently paid for two indirect ophthalmoscopes, which are used to gain better imaging of eyes, particularly within paediatrics, to diagnose a range of different conditions. The Vantage Plus is the best device of its kind, providing 3-dimensional stereoscopic views of the retina through all pupil sizes, making examinations faster and easier.

One headset was for the paediatric clinic in Weston General Hospital, where the original version had been condemned by the hospital’s repair services. The second device will be used in the pre-op assessment unit.

This grant cost £9,152 for the two devices.

3 September 2025

The Friends were formed in 1977 with the aim of providing support for Bristol Eye Hospital in two main areas – amenities for the patients and staff, and medical equipment that was beyond the purse of the NHS.

By 2010, 33 years after our foundation, we’d been able to give a million pounds in grants, thanks to the many generous bequests and other donations we’d received, as well as the success of our fundraising events and the sale of Christmas cards. Just 15 years later, we’re approaching the two-million mark.

22 August 2025

A big welcome to Carole Brooke, the new secretary of Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital.

As a retired Practice Manager running a busy GP surgery, Carole has had plenty of experience of being highly organised and having to get things done within tight timescales!

Carole explained that she was asked if she would like to become a member of  Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital following what she describes as a “very scary incident” involving her eyes.

Click the button below to read Carole’s story.

3 December 2024

Dr Alan Abraham, a research training fellow in ophthalmology at Bristol Eye Hospital, is investigating the possibility of using a new form of gene therapy to treat uveitis, which is a major cause of blindness in working-age people in the UK.

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Uveitis affects around one in a thousand individuals.

29 December 2024

Image: Anterior uveitis with active disease. In a 30-year-old female with active anterior uveitis, peripheral vessel leakage was detected using ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography. Source: A Prospective, Observational Study on the Application of Ultra-Wide-Field Angiography in the Evaluation and Management of Patients with Anterior Uveitis; Chi Y, Guo C, Peng Y, Qiao L, Yang L (PLoS ONE, 2015)

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Click here to view the video on YouTube.

30 November 2024

Patients, staff and visitors to the Bristol Eye Hospital in Upper Maudlin Street are praising the clean-up of the famous brick murals that are set into the wall to the left of the main entrance.

They were installed when the eye hospital was renovated in 1986. At that time they were the largest non-reinforced brick reliefs ever carved and were acclaimed as one of the finest public works of art in the country.

29 November 2024

We strive to thank all our donors promptly – unless we are specifically asked not to thank them.

We receive many donations from people who choose to remain anonymous or who do not give us any means of contacting them to say thank you.  We regret being unable to thank such donors other than by expressing our grateful appreciation here.

There are also currently over 60 people who donate regularly – and some have done so for very many years.  Our longest regular donor made their first payment in June 1983!  The number of regular donors and the total they donate increases steadily every year.  We do not thank you regularly but please be assured that your donations are very warmly received and we are most grateful for your ongoing support.

27 September 2021, updated 26 November 2024

Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital are grateful for the significant legacy left to the charity by Constance Gibson.

This money will be used to further help patients and staff with items and other expenditure that, while needed, are outside the NHS budget.

Many future patients will be benefitting from Constance’s generous and kind gift.

If you would like to make a donation to help others at the hospital, please take a look at our ‘Donate’ page.

23 November 2024