Глазному центру в Ньюкасле исполнилось 30 лет: за три десятилетия спасено зрение сотням пациентов

Tyneside NHS department marks 30 years caring for our eyes and saving our sight The ophthalmology department at the RVI has been there for 30 years now A pioneering Newcastle NHS department has celebrated thirty years of "firsts" since its move to the Claremont Wing of the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI). Since 1996, the Newcastle Eye Centre has conducted complex clinical trials and saved the sight of hundreds of patients. The centre has seen the establishment of a leading corneal service - looking after the cornea which is the front part of the eye - and which brings together medical doctors with a range of other professionals who work together to care for patients. That service has carried out 21 clinical trials, helped to bring in sight-saving products which are now used worldwide, and pioneer procedures to tackle conditions from cataracts to macular degeneration. The centre also looks after patients young and old who might have common issues such as lazy eyes or squints - with orthoptists helping to treat their problems. Its work also saw the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust become the first in the country to use a state-of-the-art 3D imaging system for retinal surgery. Aedheen Regan - head optometrist - has worked for the service for more than 30 years and remembers its move from the old Newcastle General Hospital site. She said: "I started as a pre-registration optometrist - that was at the General site. About three years later we moved here. It was a big move, both in terms of the facilities - compared to the General which was so much older. "The equipment was much much newer too - and we have also see how we deliver care change so much in the years since, too. For example Covid was a big trigger for being able to go down the virtual route for some appointments - which means we have much greater capacity and has helped us to see more patients. And the imaging we have available now has come on so much. "The service is really completely different to 30 years ago. For me, as much as there will be mornings where I might complain, this is such a rewarding job. And the fact that it is constantly changing keeps us on our toes." Consultant Dr Nancy Redfern remembered how surgery - which took place at Walkergate Park Hospital prior to the move - had been far trickier in older surroundings - and along with ophthalmology colleagues Mr K Narayanan, Mr Jaswant Sandhu and Mr Alan Cunningham, she recalled how there had been huge developments in simply what it is possible to do for patients. Mr Cunningham explained: "Across the whole of ophthalmology, things have become much more specialised." The four consultants also spoke of how the range of procedures possible - and the power of injections to tackle eye conditions - were among a slate of huge transformations in the last three decades. Dr Redfern also spoke of how advances in anaesthetics meant that the impact of surgery on a patient could be minimised much more effectively. She added: "Ophthalmology has changed beyond recognition in the last 30 years - the introduction of new technology and techniques has made procedures much faster and more comfortable for patients. Working in Claremont gives us access to tailormade space, the latest equipment and a wider team of surgeons and anaesthetists. “What has never changed is the dedication and kindness of the nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, porters and everyone else who makes up the eye department team." The doctors added that the speed of innovation was amazing, with Mr Sandhu discussing how corneal transplants had could now be performed through keyhole surgery which simply saw the "layer" of the cornea with the issue replaced - rather than the whole thing. Mr Sandhu added that this meant recovery times had been slashed dramatically. "Patients used to have a year of recovery, now it could be about six weeks." Other developments include the use of tiny "telescopic" lenses which can be implanted to tackle age-related macular degeneration, and the use of 3D printing to create models of someone's skull so surgeons can plan and prepare for procedures in greater detail than ever before. They also spoke of how the average age of patients had risen - and now sometimes they were operating on people who had even passed 100. Professor Francisco Figueiredo, another consultant ophthalmologist, said: “Our specialist teams continue to embrace cutting-edge technology, research and innovation to provide the best possible eye care for patients in Newcastle and the wider region. “Through providing advanced services, including corneal transplantation, complex surgery and advanced stem cell treatments, we’re able to protect and restore vision, enabling greater independence and improve everyday life for many more people. “Building on the success of the last 30 years, we will continue to ensure patients are able to benefit from world-class eye care and the latest advances in treatment for years to come." ChronicleLive has created a dedicated WhatsApp community for breaking news and our biggest stories. You can join this WhatsApp community here. It will keep you up-to-date with news as it breaks and our top stories of the day sent directly to your phone. Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. 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