Are you choosing eye health care that’s right for you?

Patients in England have had the right to choose where they receive their NHS treatment – offering the possibility of shorter wait times, being treated nearer to home, travelling shorter distances or even selecting a provider based on recommendations from other patients.

Yet independent research at Optegra Eye Health Care shows that many people are still unaware that they have options; in fact 59% of over 55s in Britain do not feel they have any choice at all.

Nearly a third (31 per cent) have never heard of the NHS Patient Choice scheme. Yet it is clearly in demand – 91 per cent of adults questioned believe that they should have a choice when it comes to their treatment.

One in five (21 per cent) state they would not question the treatment offered by medical professionals, even if this means a longer than necessary wait.

Mr Javad Moayedi, NHS Medical Director and consultant ophthalmic surgeon for Optegra, says: “Our research shows that increased awareness is needed around a patient’s right to choose how, when and where they receive their healthcare treatment.

“Take cataracts as an example, where the only treatment is surgery. Long wait lists can mean vision deteriorates to a point where everyday tasks can seem a chore.

“We know from our additional research that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of respondents have had to stop a favourite activity or hobby due to poor vision which can impact on mental health and wellbeing, and affect self-confidence. Life is so busy and pressurised nowadays that the burden of poor vision on top of day-to-day life can be a real issue for many people.

“By exercising your right to choose both provider and location, you could be seen for surgery within a matter of weeks – only 14 per cent of adults over 55 realise they can be treated within 4-6 weeks of referral.  It is their right to ask for different providers in order to achieve this.

“The good news is that there are a range of excellent vision correction options available, which will help not only provide 20/20 vision but also therefore boost wellbeing.”

Optegra offers two options for patients with cataracts. These include free NHS surgery with a standard lens which means you are likely to still need to use your existing glasses.  Or private refractive cataract surgery where the clinical team select a specific multifocal lens tailored to your own prescription – with the opportunity to lose your cataracts and your glasses in one procedure.

Keeping eyes healthy as we age

Whilst we can’t stop the natural aging process from occurring, there are small lifestyle changes we can all make to ‘age-proof’ our eyes and ensure we have the best vision for as long as possible.

• • Eat well to see well – eating a balanced diet with plenty of coloured vegetables and oily fish can really benefit eye health. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin C, found in peppers, tomatoes and strawberries, can delay the onset of cataract and age-related macular degeneration, whilst salmon contains Omega-3 which can help prevent dry eyes.
    • Protect your eyes – wearing sunglasses is extremely important as eyes are particularly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. People are aware of the damage that high UV can cause to skin with sunburn, but it is equally damaging to your eyes. No need to worry on a bright winter day, but on the days when you could get sunburnt, definitely wear sunglasses as well as sunscreen.
      • Keep moving – staying active is great for overall health and can also benefit our eyesight and vision. Low impact exercise can help to reduce eye pressure, which is a major factor in glaucoma, and exercise helps to relax our facial muscles and reduce eye strain. Remember to wear protective eye wear when playing fast racquet sports – especially badminton and squash!

• • • • • Have your eyes checked – ask yourself, how long it’s been since your last eye test. If more than two years, it’s a good idea to book soon to keep a check on your eye health and make sure you are treating your eyes to the best possible care.

Optegra Eye Health Care is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services. Established in 2007, with its first hospital opening in 2008, it has completed over one million eye procedures from its 39 eye hospitals and over 60 locations across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

Optegra brings together leading-edge research, medical expertise and state-of-the-art surgical equipment.  It performs more than 140,000 treatments annually, both private and publicly funded. Its top ophthalmic surgeons are renowned for their areas of expertise, offering excellent clinical outcomes and great patient service.