A woman who was previously refused surgery has said she has "been given her life" after undergoing a cataract operation at a Gateshead clinic.
The Optegra clinic opened in Team Valley in late 2021. Patients can be referred by their own optometrists for surgery and it takes NHS patients. One South Shields woman explained how her vision was worsening and she felt like she had "nowhere to turn". She'd initially been told she was not eligible for surgery. However, she sought a second opinion and her optician referred her.
Mr Mahmood said: "The cataracts were seriously impacting her day-to-day activities. Although she was at a higher risk because of her very long eyeballs, extremely dense, hard cataracts and thin sclerae, we were able to successfully remove both cataracts and provide her with the vision she deserves.
"It was a pleasure to treat her and we are delighted that we have made such a positive impact on her life."
The woman said: "Everything was darker, both physically and metaphorically. I didn’t feel able to make plans and my life felt very narrow.
"My glasses were no longer giving me the clear vision I had previously enjoyed and when I went to the opticians to replace them, the computer would not accept my prescription – it was too strong! I really felt that I’d hit a brick wall and had nowhere to turn."
The woman, who works in a sensitive role and does not wish to share her name, was able to undergo the surgery under the supervision of Mr Usman Mahmood, consultant surgeon. She said: "Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, I felt like I was the most important person in the clinic. Since the surgery, I have felt confident to drive again and I don’t need to look through thick glasses.
"I was unable to see into the future before and now I am excited to be making plans again. On a scale of 1 to 10 it’s a 50, they even make a good cup of tea [at the clinic]! They have given me my life back and I will be forever grateful."
Whitley Bay optometrist Simon Ferguson said he had had wonderful results working with Optegra. He said: "I would always use Optegra as a first choice now. The relationship they have with us is great, the surgeons are fantastic and the results speak for themselves. From a patient point of view it's solved so many problems.
"It's so easy, the waiting times are so much shorter. The patient is contacted within a few days and they get them booked in. I would send my own mother there. That speaks volumes."
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