Second eye cataract surgery withheld from Scottish patients

Ayrshire patients have been refused cataract surgery on a second eye due to new restrictions on waiting times.

This change is due to the pressure being eased on ophthalmology departments during a shortage of surgeons and theatre space in order to cope with demands in the area.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran was accused of withholding treatment for cataracts in 2017 following the introduction of a strict threshold, which meant that patients’ vision had to deteriorate below the legal standard of driving before a referral could be made.

Samantha Watson, chair of Optometry Scotland, said: ‘There is some frustration amongst our colleagues in Ayrshire and Arran about this change in policy. We would stress that, regardless of any policy change, an optometrist should be patients’ absolute first port of call for any eye issues. They are the GPs of eyes and are best placed to assess eye health and decide on the path of care.’