Community eye care provider ACES has won approval to start treating NHS eye care patients in Nottingham, delivering critical services such as cataract and glaucoma surgery.
Cataracts are cloudy patches that form on the natural lens of your eye. Over time these patches usually become bigger, causing a range of unwanted symptoms including blurry vision and if left untreated, can eventually lead to blindness. The condition largely affects older people, and the longer they go without treatment, the greater the risk of associated mental health issues, or of suffering a serious fall, which requires urgent and costly medical care. Statistics show that 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 suffer a fall every year, rising to 1 in 2 over the age of 80[1].
In line with many areas of the UK, NHS cataract patients in Nottingham have often suffered severe delays for treatment. ACES’s approval is a vital step in helping to cut the backlog for cataract surgery, meaning local patients will receive care faster. People who live in Nottingham and have any concerns about their eyesight are encouraged to book an appointment with their optometrist or speak to their GP.
ACES typically treats the cataracts of NHS patients within four weeks from their pre-assessment[2], with opportunity for patients existing to have surgery within fourteen days, cutting waiting times in the process. Giving patients the care they need in a timely manner helps to avoid further medical complications caused by poor eyesight, for example by reducing the risk of trips and falls.
Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director at ACES, said: “This partnership has played a crucial role in widening access across the country to vital eye care services.
“Being awarded approval to treat the residents of Nottingham in the East Midlands of England is another welcome step forward, and will help to reduce waiting lists in the local area, benefiting those who matter most, the general public. Our expert team of clinicians looks forward to providing the highest standard of treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, macular disease and more to NHS patients living in and around the city.”
Established in 2005, ACES has a track record of providing high-quality eye care services for NHS patients across East Anglia. Since then, ACES has been able to expand its NHS services to other parts of the UK. In addition to its new offer in Nottingham, ACES has also won approval to begin treating NHS patients in many other Integrated Care Board (ICB) areas in England.
[2] Treatment, appointment and wait time is subject to availability and dependent on patient and clinic location.
