Overstretched eye clinics leading to sight loss

Patients are going blind as overstretched eye clinics reach breaking point, according to latest research by the RNIB.

The charity called on the public to ‘know and exercise their legal rights’, and warned the lack of capacity could lead to hospital trusts facing more clinical negligence claims.

It released findings from a survey of 172 eye health professionals including 91 ophthalmologists and 59 ophthalmic nurses, showing over 80 per cent said their eye department had insufficient capacity. Ninety four per cent reported that future capacity would not meet rising demand.

A total of 37 per cent of staff said patients were 'sometimes' losing their sight unnecessarily due to delayed treatment and follow up care.