From left to right: Mr Ernest Onyema (Surgeon), Kathryn (Cataract Surgery Patient) and Iram Rashid (Surgery Associate)
Community eye care provider ACES are actively treating many NHS patients who suffer from a range of different ophthalmic conditions in Peterborough, where those hoping for appointments have often suffered severe delays for treatment. Services offered by ACES cover those suffering from a range of conditions affecting the eye lid and eye to include but not limited to cataract and glaucoma.
Kathryn, who avoided waiting lists by getting cataract surgery from ACES, says the care she received has made it easier to do simple, everyday tasks like driving and reading.
“I have already started to recommend ACES to friends, because it was a safe, speedy and stress-free experience. I was especially pleased about not having to spend months on a waiting list with the poor vision continuing”, said the sixty-seven-year-old Peterborough resident.
The care provided by ACES to the general public across the local area is undoubtedly a positive step towards reducing backlogs of those waiting for cataract surgery, meaning patients in the city won’t have to wait as long to receive care. People who live in Peterborough, who have any concerns about their eyes or eyesight, are encouraged to book an appointment with their optometrist or speak to their GP.
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].
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, significantly reducing 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: “It’s unacceptable that NHS patients like Kathryn should have to spend months on a waiting list for vital treatment. ACES is proud to give patients like her across the country the care they need safely and swiftly. If you are concerned about the level and / or quality of your vision, speak to your optometrist or GP and ask to be referred to one of our ACES state-of-the-art clinics.”
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 Peterborough, 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.
