From left to right: Manu Mathew (Surgeon), Martin (Patient), and Ofeila Vijandre (RGN)
Community eye care provider ACES has won approval to treat NHS patients in Exeter. The new NHS service has begun, delivering vital care including cataract surgery to patients from its high-tech clinic in the town centre.
The clinic treated its first cataract surgery patient, Martin, who can now drive more safely and smoothly after having his vision corrected by ACES.
Martin, who is now retired, was successfully treated for cataracts and can now drive confidently, free from the inconvenience and safety risks caused by blurry vision. He said: “I have received excellent treatment from the team at ACES – and it was invaluable to get it at a time of my choosing, rather than having to wait for months. The procedure was easy, fast and comfortable, and has made a world of difference when it comes to day-to-day tasks like driving.”
NHS cataract patients in Exeter often experience long delays for urgently-needed treatment, but ACES’s approval is a vital step in helping to cut the backlog for eye care services.
Cataracts are cloudy patches that form on the natural lens of your eye. Over time these patches usually become bigger, causing 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 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 two to four weeks from their pre-assessment[2], with opportunity for patients existing to have surgery within fourteen days, slashing local 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. ACES expert surgeons will deliver the new NHS service from their state of the art clinic in Exeter.
People in and around Exeter with any concerns about their eyesight are encouraged to book a consultation with their optometrist or speak to their GP.
Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director at ACES, said: “This partnership continues to play a vital role in helping to drive down waiting lists across the country. Being approved to treat NHS patients in Exeter is another positive step, enabling our leading clinicians to provide NHS patients in the south west of England, with critical treatments of the highest calibre.”
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 Exeter, 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.
