Hospitals in Suffolk and Essex first in the UK to offer 'pioneering' new glaucoma treatment
It's hoped it could prevent patients losing their eyesight
Hospitals in East Suffolk and North Essex have become the first in the UK to offer a 'pioneering' new surgery to treat glaucoma.
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust (ESNEFT) is now using a type of surgery which sees a tiny strip of sponge implanted into the corner of the patient's eye.
It helps to relieve pressure on the eye by soaking away the excess fluid which can increase sight loss from glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a set of conditions affecting the eye, usually in people in later life.
It causes abnormally high pressure in the optic nerve, often leading to blindness.
Chrys Dimitriou, a consultant eye surgeon at ESNEFT, said:
“It could make a real difference to hundreds of patients every year by helping to prevent further sight loss and reducing their reliance on eye drops, which can cause red, dry or itchy eyes."
“Glaucoma is a debilitating condition which affects more than half a million people in the UK. It is primarily caused when the eye fails to drain excess fluid, which in turn leads to elevated pressure which damages the optic nerve.
"Although the condition is irreversible, this fantastic treatment can stop it or delay it from progressing and help to prevent the patient from going blind, which in turn has a huge impact on their quality of life.”
12 patients have had the surgery in Suffolk and Essex since mid-March, with each operation taking between 15 and 20 minutes to complete.
The patients have recovered quickly and have been able to return to activities like swimming and driving.
ESNEFT runs Ipswich Hospital and Colchester Hopsital, as well as several community hospitals across both counties.