Edinburgh hospital closure risks sight loss

Closure of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and disbursal of services across Edinburgh could mean thousands of people could lose their sight, the Macular Society warned.

The charity said patients could face longer journeys for sight-saving appointments, such as injections for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Hazel McFarlane, the Macular Society’s senior regional manager for Scotland, said: ‘Should eye care services be dispersed across the region, this will lead to increased levels of irreversible and untreatable sight loss, because those with AMD who are unable to drive will either be unable to travel the distances required to attend their appointments, or they will decline treatment because of the arduous and lengthy journeys they will have to undertake.’