New Optegra Clinic in Brighton

CLEAR VISION AHEAD FOR SUSSEX CATARACT PATIENTS

– As new specialist clinic offers NHS cataract care –

A brand-new eye clinic has opened in Brighton, offering easy access to NHS cataract eye surgery for residents in the region, and committing to treatment within just six weeks of referral.

Optegra Eye Clinic Brighton, in Sussex House on Crowhurst Road, opened its doors to patients in April to offer free NHS cataract procedures, as the eye care specialist has been working with the NHS to help reduce long waiting lists as a result of the pandemic. These lists have seen many people waiting as long as a year for their essential cataract surgery.

The new clinic is part of Optegra Eye Health Care (www.optegra.com), a network of specialist eye hospitals and clinics across the UK that provide cataract and vision correction procedures.

The clinic opens at a time when the cost of living is at an all-time high, resulting in many people avoiding essential eye tests due to cost. These delays in accessing treatment have led to 40% of optometrists recently surveyed by Optegra believing that people are driving without the legal visual requirement and older people losing their independence due to poor vision.

Richard Armitage, NHS Director for Optegra, said: “We are eager to continue supporting the NHS as ophthalmology is the second largest waiting list for treatment. Our new specialist clinic ensures that individual patients in the region can access cataract surgery in a timely fashion.

“Those diagnosed with cataract simply need to ask their optician or GP to refer them to Optegra Eye Clinic Brighton and we will be in touch straight away to arrange pre-op tests and a surgery date. We offer five-star facilities and leading ophthalmic surgeons providing the highest standards of care and excellent outcomes.

“We are so pleased to have launched this new clinic and look forward to welcoming patients whom we commit to treating within just six weeks of referral.”

The clinic was officially opened on Tuesday 28 March with The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Lizzie Deane, cutting the ribbon. Madam Mayor said: “I am so pleased to be opening this new clinic that is offering free NHS cataract procedures to those in need.

“We all rely on our vision, having this clinic with specialists on site on our doorstep will help so many people regain their independence through improved vision and also reduce waiting lists.”

Brighton born-and-bred clinic manager Julia Warnes says: “Cataract is a very common condition affecting one in three adults over 65, though we are also seeing more and more cases in younger patients. It can feel as though you are looking through cracked or frosted glass as your vision become blurred. Many people notice glare from lights when driving in the dark as a first symptom.

“If left untreated it can result in blindness and sadly, we are seeing patients with very severe cases due to the long waiting lists and people putting off eye tests due to cost.

“Now that our brand-new clinic is open, we are looking forward to bringing clear vision to as many cataract patients as possible in the Sussex region. We promise a very warm welcome and excellent care.”

Optegra Eye Clinic Brighton is based at Sussex House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton BN1 8AF.

Optegra Eye Clinic Brighton is part of Optegra Eye Health Care and is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services. Established in 2007, it has completed over one million eye procedures from its 34 eye hospitals and clinics across the UK, Czech Republic and Poland.

Optegra brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise and state-of-the-art surgical equipment. It performs more than 100,000 treatments annually, both private and publicly funded. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and great patient service.