Patients with chronic eye conditions in Wales may suffer irreversible sight loss because of new patient waiting times, the BBC's Eye on Wales programme has reported.
An investigation undertaken by the programme's researchers has revealed that many hospital doctors are expressing concern that the target set by the Welsh Assembly that all new patients be seen within 26 weeks is being met at the expense of patients already on their lists, including follow-up glaucoma patients.
Consultant Nick Hawksworth, who is also a council member for Wales for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, told the programme: 'There is a big drive at the moment for hospital trusts to meet targets, in particular for new patients.
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