New sight saving equipment is transforming glaucoma care at St Richard’s Hospital thanks to a generous £33,000 donation from our Friends of Chichester Hospitals charity.
Glaucoma is an eye condition where the main nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged and affects thousands of people in the local area. If left untreated, raised intra-ocular eye pressure (fluid pressure inside the eye) can lead to irreversible sight loss.
Patients with glaucoma can now have their intra-ocular eye pressure diagnosed and treatment plan put in place, as part of a one-stop clinic at St Richard’s. Previously, many patients had to travel to Southlands Hospital for treatment.
With this new equipment, St Richard’s can now fast track diagnosis and treatment, helping reduce the number of people needing pressure-related surgery and improving outcomes for many.
Friends of Chichester Hospitals provide funding to purchase equipment through kind donations by the public and their fundraising efforts. Run entirely by volunteers, the charity awards more than 90% of its income directly to making a difference to patients and staff at St Richard’s Hospital and local mental health services.