Zaid Shalchi - Eye Surgeon

07/01/2026

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) often develops gradually, particularly in its early stages. Many patients with early dry AMD remain asymptomatic, with retinal changes such as drusen identified incidentally during routine optometric examination rather than through reported visual symptoms.

𝗔𝘀 𝗔𝗠𝗗 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴:

✅Blurred or distorted central vision
✅Reduced visual acuity affecting reading and fine detail
✅Difficulty recognising faces
✅ Central scotoma or distortion (metamorphopsia)

Early recognition of these symptom patterns is essential in guiding appropriate referral, monitoring and management. Regular surveillance and timely retinal assessment remain central to optimising long-term visual outcomes, particularly as treatment options continue to evolve.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:

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

02/01/2026

How does diabetes affect your eyes?

It’s more than just blurry vision.

Diabetes can quietly damage the delicate blood vessels in the back of the eye — causing issues like:

👁️ Diabetic retinopathy

💧 Retinal swelling (macular oedema)

☁️ Early cataract development

⚠️ Higher risk of glaucoma

The scary part? You might not notice symptoms until the damage has already started.

That’s why regular eye checks are essential — even if your vision feels fine.

📝 Read the full article to learn how to protect your sight:

zaidshalchi.co.uk/news/how-diabetes-affects-your-eyes

Learn how diabetes affects your eyes, the early signs of retinopathy, and how screening protects your vision.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a year ahead filled with clarity, good health, and peace of mind — in every sense.

Thank you to all the patients, referrers, and colleagues who’ve trusted and supported our work this past year. It’s a privilege to care for your vision and to work alongside so many dedicated professionals.

Here’s to continued collaboration and even better outcomes in the year to come.

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

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