A week of news - no more half measures

Optical bodies have joined forces to call for new criteria for cataract surgery in this week's news.

At the moment access to operations is decided on the basis of visual acuity alone.

This blanket approach does not account for impact that other symptoms might have on quality of life though, argued the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, College of Optometrists and Optical Confederation. These other symptoms might include double vision or disabling glare from lights, they found.

Another concern was patients being told their PCT will only treat one eye. This is despite substantial evidence in favour of treating both, showing patients who lose their ability to judge distances are more likely to suffer accidents.