Patients across the East Riding will now have easier access to a wide range of diagnostic eye tests, following the opening of a new East Yorkshire Eye Clinic (EYEC).
Based at the East Riding Community Hospital, the new facilities have been built with financial contributions from Roche Products Limited and comprise eight clinical rooms.
These can be used for a mix of patient consultations and diagnostic tests, including imaging glaucoma and medical retina pathologies, such as age-related macular degeneration – the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in those over the age of 60. Colin Vize, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, said: “The new East Yorkshire Eye Clinic is a fantastic resource for our communities, which we believe will be a significant benefit for patients.
“It’s a one-stop shop for diagnostic imaging, which will allow us to detect potentially debilitating conditions more quickly, helping those patients to get the treatment they need. Patients are referred to the service by either their GP or optician and, rather than having to wait to see a consultant to be referred for diagnostic tests, they will be able to have those done at the EYEC.
“Their consultant will then review their results and make decisions about the right course of treatment, helping to cut down on unnecessary appointments and waiting times to begin treatment, which can be crucial for those with degenerative eye conditions. A further benefit of the clinic is that the location is also easier to access than our main hospital sites, with ample parking and regular public transport links.”
Eelke Roos, UK head of ophthalmology, Roche Products Limited, said: “We are delighted that patients across East Yorkshire will soon have access to the new East Yorkshire Eye Clinic, which will allow patients to access vital diagnostic tests more easily. By helping to increase clinical capacity, this new facility supports the NHS in its mission to reduce waiting times and ensure that patients with degenerative eye conditions receive the timely care they deserve.”