Frimley Park Hospital Launches New Laser Treatment for Glaucoma
A New Option at Frimley Park Hospital
Frimley Park Hospital, on Portsmouth Road just outside Camberley, has become one of the first places in the area to offer a new laser treatment designed to slow the progression of glaucoma. For many of us who live across north-west Surrey, from Camberley and Frimley to Woking and beyond, Frimley Park is the hospital we turn to in an emergency or for planned care, so news of a new specialist service lands close to home. The treatment uses laser light energy to lower the pressure inside the eye, which is the main driver of damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight because it rarely causes symptoms in its early stages. Many people only learn they have it after years of gradual, unnoticed vision loss, which is why a treatment that can be delivered quickly and at an early stage matters so much. The procedure takes only minutes and is usually carried out alongside cataract surgery, meaning some patients may not need an extra trip to hospital. Frimley Health says the technique can last for years and leave around 80 per cent of patients with mild to moderate glaucoma free of daily eye drops within a year. For local families, that could mean fewer bottles to buy and fewer drops to remember each day.
Who Is Involved and How It Affects Patients
The service has been championed by Mishank Jain, a consultant ophthalmologist with Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, who says early treatment can stop glaucoma reaching the point where complex surgery is needed. He describes the eye department as exceptionally busy, with more than 100 new glaucoma referrals every month. That demand is the reason the quick procedure is so significant. Traditional treatment usually starts with eye drops, moves on to surgery such as a trabeculectomy or a stent, and in difficult cases can involve several operations. Each step brings longer recovery times and more risk, and each takes up theatre time that the department has to share with other patients. A procedure that takes minutes allows the team to treat more people, and Jain says it carries a lower risk than other glaucoma operations with a shorter recovery period. For patients, especially older residents, who are often juggling work, caring responsibilities and mobility issues, that shorter recovery can make a real difference. Many people living with reduced sight also find that everyday tasks become harder at home. Simple changes such as better lighting, contrast-friendly worktops and step-free showers can help, and some families seek advice from bathroom fitters or kitchen renovation specialists who understand accessible design. Anyone considering that kind of bathroom refurbishment or kitchen renovation after a diagnosis should ask their eye care team for guidance first, so that the changes match their needs.
What Residents Should Know and Do Next
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but the risk rises after the age of 50, and it is more likely if you have a close family member with the condition, are very short-sighted, or have diabetes. Because there are usually no early warning signs, the most practical step most of us can take is to keep up with regular eye examinations. An optometrist can check the pressure inside your eyes and the health of your optic nerve during a routine sight test, and can refer you to the hospital if they have concerns. If you notice gradual changes in your peripheral vision, struggle to see in dim light, or find yourself bumping into things on one side, book an appointment promptly rather than waiting for your next check. Ask your optician or GP whether you are eligible for free NHS sight tests, as this varies by age and circumstances. If you are already on glaucoma drops, do not stop them without speaking to your consultant, as the new laser treatment is being offered as a clinical decision, not a replacement you can request on your own. Looking ahead, local readers should watch for updates from Frimley Health on how many patients are being treated, waiting times, and whether the service expands. We will keep following the story, so if you have experience of glaucoma treatment in Surrey, send us your thoughts.
Source: Frimley Park Hospital introduces new laser treatment to slow glaucoma
