Will the rapid growth in independent eye care services put patients with more complex eye conditions at greater risk of losing their sight?  

With increasing numbers of NHS Eye consultants taking on more private work such as cataract operations this could mean fewer NHS appointments being available for patients with more complex conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration which in turn could cause a crisis point in eye care services.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined by Ben Burton, Consultant Ophthalmologist and President of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists to discuss some of the concerns the College has about the growth of independent practices taking on more cataract work and what this means for patients with complex eye conditions who need more urgent eye appointments which would in turn prevent more people from losing their sight and what can be done to stop this potential crisis point in eye care services.

To find out more about The Royal College of Ophthalmologists do visit their website - https://www.rcophth.ac.uk

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