The new wide-angle retinal scanner was unveiled at a special demonstration given to the League of Friends, highlighting its use of laser technology to capture images covering 180-200 degrees of the retina of the human eye, compared to conventional cameras which are only able to capture 45 degrees.
The advanced technology makes consultation far more efficient, as well as enabling consultants to easily talk through diagnosis with their patients. Mr Usman Saeed, an ophthalmologist at the trust with an interest in age-related macular degeneration (an eye condition that affects a vital part of the retina at the back of the eye), said he was very impressed with the advanced equipment:
“This new scanner is a great asset to the eye health services we provide, helping identify conditions that may otherwise go undetected using traditional examination techniques and equipment.
“The scanner is installed in Epsom Hospital’s eye unit, and our healthcare professionals there are already seeing the benefits; the technology really supports the detection, diagnosis, analysis, documentation and management of eye conditions.”
Epsom Hospital is redeveloping its eye unit, with works expected to be completed in in March 2015. A new eye unit is also being developed at St Helier Hospital. Jackie Sulivan, the trust’s Chief Operating Officer, said that people should be reminded that the trust continues to run eye health services at Sutton Hospital:
“Of course we’re very excited about the development of both of our new eye units, but I would like to remind all of our local residents that they can still receive excellent eye care at Sutton Hospital’s ophthalmology unit, with outpatient clinics running every weekday between 8.30am and 5pm, as well as an emergency service on Fridays between 8.30am and 4.30pm.”
The trust plans to move all eye care services to the new units at Epsom and St Helier hospitals by the end of June, but in the meantime will continue to operate current services at both sites as well as at Sutton Hospital which will remain open until all services is fully relocated.