By Carole Dennett
We all know that the NHS, both nationally and locally, has long waiting lists, but – as ever – behind the headlines there is often a more nuanced picture. And that is certainly the case for ophthalmology services at St Mary’s Hospital. Earlier this week the IW Observer took a detailed look behind the scenes at what is now available, and chatted with some of those who provide this essential service.
Island patients are now benefiting from dramatically reduced waiting times for cataract surgery, thanks to significant investment and new state-of-the-art facilities at St Mary’s. For those patients whose surgery is without additional complications (approximately 50 per cent of cases), waiting times from referral to treatment have dropped from around two years to just ten weeks – a record-breaking achievement for the local NHS Trust. And there are shorter waiting lists than you might expect for other ophthalmological treatments, including glaucoma and advanced laser treatments.
Modern facilities – planned by staff
The introduction of a dedicated ophthalmic operating theatre suite, one of the largest in the country, complete with advanced digital technology and a six-bed recovery area, has been key in transforming services on the Island. The facility, which opened in 2022, offers high-quality, 21st-century care, equipped to handle both straightforward and more complex cases that are not suitable for private treatment centres. The average time from patient admission to discharge is less than four hours.
Phillip Moradi, consultant ophthalmologist, is proud of the facilities he now has available and passionate about how the team can help Islanders. “The entire team was involved in the planning, design and delivery of the unit,” he said, explaining that was critical to enable him to deliver a seamless treatment journey. “Having a dedicated ophthalmology theatre and recovery unit has provided an incredible opportunity for us to deliver the highest quality of care.
“Patients are benefiting from reduced waiting times and receiving treatment in advanced facilities, which include a dedicated retina and cataract suite and virtual clinics for pre- operative assessments.”
The hospital now performs approximately 1,800 cataract surgeries each year.
Why keeping your vision matters
Cataracts, a common eye condition often associated with ageing, cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy, leading to blurred vision. Surgery involves removingthe cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial one. While the procedure is swift – typically taking just 20 to 30 minutes under local anaesthetic – it is vital for more than restoring sight.
Maintaining good vision plays a critical role in overall health, particularly for older Islanders.
Poor eyesight is a leading factor leading to falls among the elderly, a primary cause of hospitalisation.
Balance is a complex interplay between balance joints and sight – and sight is the only part of that trio that can be rejuvenated.
So keeping your eyes in good condition isn’t just about clear vision – it’s also about staying safe and independent.
The human impact
Island resident, 82-year-old Maria Matei (pictured), shared her recent experience under the care of St Mary’s ophthalmology team.
Concerned about worsening blurred vision, she visited her optician and was referred for surgery through the hospital’s streamlined system.
Maria said: “I was worried I might have to wait a long time, but just three days after the referral, I got a call from DORA, the hospital’s automated voice assistant. The system gave me all the information I needed, and even offered me a choice of where I could receive treatment – all very easy and helpful.”
After attending a ‘one-stop’ cataract appointment at St Mary’s in mid-December and, taking advantage of a cancellation, Maria had surgery just seven days later, in time for Christmas. She described her care as caring, reassuring and professional. “The surgeon had such a soft manner and explained everything step by step. The whole procedure only took 23 minutes, and now my vision has improved remarkably, even without my glasses. I’m so grateful to the whole team – they made what could have been a worrying experience feel seamless.”
One member of the team, 26-year- old Mitch Kelcher, from Freshwater, first joined two years ago as a student. Now a registered nurse, he finds the work fascinating. “I’d like to go on to specialise,” he said.
“I love working with our patients and seeing the transformation after their treatments.”
70 years of cataract surgery
Coinciding with the recent improvements at St Mary’s, February marked 70 years since Sir Harold Ridley, an ophthalmologist at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, performed the first successful lens implant surgery. His pioneering work has since restored sight to over 200 million people worldwide – cataract replacement is now the most common eye operation globally.
Questions to keep in mind Now that St Mary’s modernised services are able to deliver improved eye treatments, patients should make sure they are informed. Anyone referred by opticians to private providers should ask key questions, such as whether the treatment is readily available through the NHS and about local waiting list times. If you are concerned about costs, transparency is also essential – find out if opticians have links to private eye surgery companies.
A final thought…
The final word should perhaps go to Mr Moradi: “Delivering timely, effective cataract surgery improves patients’ quality of life in profound ways, and we’re very proud to bring this level of care to our community.”