Saint James Eye Clinic

Saint James Eye Clinic is a specialist private eye hospital unit on the Birkirkara bypass, in the middle of Malta. It opened in 2016 and focuses on ophthalmology: laser vision correction, cataract and lens surgery, eyelid and retinal procedures, glaucoma work and a full range of diagnostic tests. For UK residents who live in Malta, and for visitors who want to plan treatment or a check-up around a stay, it is a clinic with published prices and a published specialist timetable, which is not always easy to find.

The clinic is listed on VisitMalta.co.uk among our opticians in Malta and in the wider directory of private clinics in Malta. This page describes what the clinic offers and does not give medical advice; questions about your own eyes belong with the clinic's ophthalmologists.

Who they are and how the clinic began

The clinic belongs to the Saint James Hospital Group, which was founded in 1986 by its owner and current chairman, Dr Josie Muscat. What began as a small family clinic grew into a group that owns and runs healthcare facilities in Malta and overseas. The eye clinic itself opened its doors in 2016 and houses modern equipment for cataract surgery and refractive laser surgery, with a team of specialists and support staff.

The clinic handles more than 200 consultations a week, more than 1,000 laser surgeries a year and more than 2,000 eyes treated each year. It is an approved Carl Zeiss Meditec training facility, which means it trains ophthalmic surgeons from other countries, and it holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management. Its policies follow guidance from bodies such as the Royal Colleges, the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Its approach is patient-centred, with staff explaining each stage of treatment, from pre-assessment through to recovery.

Eye laser treatments

Laser correction is the clinic's best known service. The treatments on offer are SMILE, FemtoLASIK, laser blended vision for presbyopia (the age-related loss of near focus) and surface ablation, an excimer laser method suited to people with a thin cornea. Eye drops numb the eyes before treatment, and both eyes are normally treated in the same session. The clinic runs information sessions for people who want to know more before they book, and its website has a set of frequently asked questions that covers safety, pain, recovery, re-treatment and what happens as the eyes age. Reading those answers, and watching the surgeons' short explanatory films, is a sensible first step before you ask for a consultation.

The price list covers laser correction, with surface ablation and FemtoLASIK priced separately, and it adds a charge for the pre-laser consultation. Laser patients may use a payment plan: at least 25 percent is due on the day of the procedure and the balance can be spread over 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, with processing fees of €50, €75, €100 and €125 respectively. Whether laser correction is right for a particular person is a decision for the clinic's doctors after an assessment.

Safety checks are built into the process. Patients are asked about their health at several stages before the day of surgery, and on the day they are asked to identify themselves repeatedly, following World Health Organisation and Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommendations for operating theatres. The clinic's machines are backed by online technical support, system alerts and energy tests carried out before procedures. After surgery, the time it takes to see clearly depends on the type of treatment, and the clinic's doctors explain recovery and aftercare to each patient. The clinic's website also carries short films in which its surgeons explain eligibility, risks and aftercare in their own words.

Cataract, lens and other eye surgery

Beyond laser work, the clinic carries out cataract extraction, refractive lens exchange, phakic lens implantation, intracorneal ring segment implantation, glaucoma surgery, squint correction, vitreoretinal surgery and a range of minor eye procedures. For eyelids it offers correction of ptosis (a drooping upper lid) and blepharoplasty, the removal of excess eyelid tissue, and it also lists OptoSLT Nano treatment for glaucoma.

The published list covers cataract surgery with a monofocal or a toric lens, refractive lens exchange with trifocal and other premium lens options, glaucoma procedures, vitrectomy, intravitreal injections, eyelid surgery, minor surgery and outpatient tests. Each is priced separately, so ask for the current list when you enquire.

Blepharoplasty is worth a closer look because it is both cosmetic and functional. Eyelid skin thins with age and can fold into bags that make a person look tired and, in some cases, affect vision. The clinic carries out the operation only after a full ophthalmic examination that assesses the face, vision and visual function and checks for conditions such as dry eye and blepharitis. Surgery can be on the upper or lower lid, and the consultant may suggest alternatives, such as skin care, a chemical peel or a filler, where the problem is mild. Ptosis correction, for a drooping upper lid that is present from birth or develops later, is a separate procedure that the clinic also offers.

Eye tests, dry eyes and diagnostic services

The clinic provides screening, visual assessments and general eye examinations, with diagnostic tests such as topography, visual field testing, OCT scans and A-scans. Specific clinics and services cover glaucoma screening, keratoconus, macular degeneration, cross-linking and dry eyes. Its dry eye clinic, introduced by Mr Justin Kodurand, is the first of its kind in Malta.

Charges for outpatient tests appear on the same price list, so you can see the cost of a scan or visual field check before you book. Optometrists are part of the team, and the clinic's own website has pages for both doctors and optometrists. If you also need new glasses or sunglasses, the high-street shops in our opticians directory sell frames and lenses.

The medical team and the patient charter

A weekly timetable lists the visiting specialists by day. Among those named on the clinic's site are Professor Francis Carbonaro, who speaks on glaucoma, Mr Melvin Gouder, who explains laser eye surgery, Mr Franco Mercieca, an eye laser specialist, Mr Thomas Fenech, a vitrectomy specialist, Mr Martin Galea, who deals with squint correction, and Ms Maria Agius, a consultant ophthalmologist who covers ptosis and blepharoplasty. Nurses, a clinic manager and a quality team support them, and the team combines experience with a friendly manner. The recruitment policy is strict, staff receive ongoing training and the clinic keeps investing in the latest equipment, all of which feed into the quality standards it audits against.

A patient charter promises punctuality, dignity and respect for every patient, safety and comfort, privacy and confidentiality and prompt handling of complaints. It also asks patients to answer questions fully, follow instructions and respect other patients. The clinic aims to make its premises accessible for people with disabilities.

Finding the clinic and planning your visit

The clinic is on Triq Dun Karm by the Birkirkara bypass, a short drive from Valletta and the airport. If you are travelling from the UK, our guide to flights from the UK to Malta shows the routes, and where to stay in Malta or the hotels in Malta page will help you choose a base. People moving here for good can start with the Malta relocation guide, while the Malta weather guide and the about Malta page help with timing and background. The clinic's published timetable shows which specialist is in on which day, so check it before choosing travel dates, and allow for a consultation and any pre-assessment tests before treatment itself. If you have questions about eligibility, aftercare or the timing of follow-up visits, put them in your enquiry so the clinic can answer them directly before you travel.

Between appointments, the Valletta guide and things to do in Malta suggest ways to spend your time. To get in touch, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page, tell us which service you are asking about, and we will pass your message to Saint James Eye Clinic.