Zaid Shalchi - Eye Surgeon

29/12/2025

Does experience matter in cataract surgery? Absolutely.

While the majority of cataract procedures are routine and successful, complications can and do occur. In these situations, surgeon experience is critical — from early recognition of intraoperative issues to effective management and long-term stabilisation of the eye.

Equally important is prevention. Experienced surgeons develop refined techniques and judgement that help minimise risk and keep surgery uncomplicated in the first place.

I welcome referrals for routine and complex cataract surgery, including patients with co-existing retinal disease or higher surgical risk.

📞 Referrals: 020 3953 4999
🌐 https://zaidshalchi.co.uk

27/12/2025

Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR) occurs when fluid accumulates beneath the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that plays a key role in clear, detailed vision. This fluid build-up can cause a mild separation of the retina, resulting in blurred or distorted central vision.

For many people, CSR is temporary and may resolve without treatment. However, when the condition becomes persistent or recurs, it can lead to longer-term visual changes and may require closer monitoring or treatment.

If you have noticed sudden changes in your central vision, a retinal assessment can help confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate care.

For appointments or enquiries:

🌐 www.zaidshalchi.co.uk
📧 secretary@zaidshalchi.co.uk
📞 020 3953 4999

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas 🎄✨

Wishing you a Christmas filled with warmth, rest, and meaningful moments with the people you love. May the season bring a pause from the busy days, time to reflect on the year that’s been, and space to enjoy the simple things that matter most.

Here’s to peace, gratitude, and a hopeful start to the year ahead. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year.

19/12/2025

“Do I still need eye tests after cataract surgery?”

The answer is yes — absolutely.

Even if your vision is excellent and you no longer need glasses, regular eye tests are essential to spot silent conditions like glaucoma, which often causes no symptoms until permanent vision damage has already happened.

Seeing your optician regularly can help catch problems early — before your sight is affected.

👁️ Protect your vision.
📍 Learn more at zaidshalchi.co.uk

17/12/2025

Many eye conditions develop slowly, often without early warning signs — which means damage can occur long before symptoms appear.

In this blog, I outline five practical steps you can take to protect your eyesight and reduce the risk of preventable vision problems.

These small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference to your long-term eye health.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://zaidshalchi.co.uk/news/5-essential-things-you-can-do-to-protect-your-eyesight/

Discover the top 5 ways to protect your eyesight and prevent common eye diseases. Expert guidance from Consultant Ophthalmologist Mr Zaid halchi in Windsor.

16/12/2025

Feeling heard, understood, and reassured makes all the difference when it comes to your eye health.

We’re grateful for this kind feedback from a patient who felt confident in their diagnosis, treatment plan, and recovery.

Reading real patient experiences can help you feel more informed and comfortable when choosing a specialist for your care.

👉 You can find more verified patient reviews on Doctify — a great place to hear directly from people who’ve been through the same journey.

11/12/2025

Floaters are one of the most common things people notice in their vision — but when should you worry?

👁️ If you’ve had the same floaters for years and nothing has changed, they’re usually harmless and nothing needs to be done.

⚠️ If you suddenly develop new floaters or notice a big increase, get them checked.
This can sometimes be a sign of inflammation or changes inside the eye that may lead to a retinal tear or detachment.

Here’s when to see an eye doctor urgently:
• New floaters
• Sudden increase in floaters
• Flashes of light
• A shadow or curtain in your vision

Your vision is too important to ignore sudden changes.

📩 If you’re worried about floaters or any new symptoms, you’re welcome to get in touch or book an eye assessment.
More information at zaidshalchi.co.uk

09/12/2025

A 58-year-old patient with long-standing diabetes presented recently with intermittent blurring in one eye. There was no associated pain or redness, and the symptoms resolved spontaneously—something she had attributed to fatigue.

On examination, early signs of diabetic retinopathy were identified. Like many patients, she was unaware that retinal changes can develop silently, often in the absence of obvious symptoms.

Diabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of visual impairment in adults with diabetes. Early detection is critical and relies on regular retinal screening and proactive referrals when symptoms or subtle changes are detected.

As a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist, I welcome referrals for:
– Diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy
– Intravitreal therapy
– Complex diabetic eye disease management

📞 For clinical referrals: 020 3953 4999
🌐 www.zaidshalchi.co.uk

03/12/2025

Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar — it can impact your eyes in serious ways.
Here’s what to watch out for:

👁️ It can damage the fragile blood vessels in your retina, starving them of oxygen.
💧 It can cause the vessels to leak, leading to swelling in the retina (diabetic macular oedema).
☁️ It can also cause cataracts to develop earlier than usual.

That’s why it’s so important to:
✔️ Keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control
✔️ Have regular diabetic eye screenings
✔️ Get yearly retinal photographs (in countries like the UK, this is a standard programme)
✔️ Visit your optician regularly to check your eye pressure and retina health

If needed, your optician will refer you to a retinal specialist for further treatment.
📞 020 3953 4999
🌐 zaidshalchi.co.uk

02/12/2025

Intravitreal Injections: What are they, and why are they used?

If you’ve been told you need an injection in the eye, it can sound worrying — but intravitreal injections are a common, safe, and highly effective treatment for many retinal conditions, including:

– Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
– Diabetic retinopathy
– Retinal vein occlusions

💉 The treatment delivers medication directly into the back of the eye (the vitreous), helping to slow disease progression and preserve central vision.

It’s quick, done in-clinic, and often repeated regularly for best results.

Your vision matters — and so does choosing the right treatment at the right time.
📞 020 3953 4999
🌐 zaidshalchi.co.uk/procedures/intravitreal-injection-treatment/

29/11/2025

s Laser Capsulotomy safe? Let’s talk about it.

If your vision has become cloudy again after cataract surgery, you may need a YAG laser capsulotomy. It’s a quick, painless treatment — but like all procedures, it comes with a few things to be aware of:

✔️ Most people have no issues at all
💧 Some patients may need drops to manage temporary eye pressure or mild inflammation
👁️ Rarely, you might notice more floaters
🧠 Retinal detachment? It’s a theoretical risk — but studies haven’t shown strong evidence of it happening after this procedure

There’s no eye drop that can clear PCO — only laser or surgery. Your eye doctor will guide you on the safest option based on your eye health.

Want to know if this is right for you?
📞 020 3953 4999
🌐 zaidshalchi.co.uk

27/11/2025

“My vision started going blurry again… but I thought cataract surgery had already fixed it.”

This is something we hear often — and the good news is, it’s usually an easy fix.

Sometimes, months or even years after successful cataract surgery, the back of the lens capsule can become cloudy. It’s called Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) — and it’s very common (about 1 in 5 people get it).

The treatment?
A Laser Capsulotomy — a quick, painless laser procedure that clears the mist.

✅ Done in clinic
✅ Takes around 5 minutes
✅ Numbing & dilating drops used
✅ Completely painless
✅ Vision often improves straight away

If your sight feels foggy again after cataract surgery, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean something went wrong.

📞 Call 020 3953 4999 to book
🌐 Learn more: zaidshalchi.co.uk