Zazeannah Walker 
An appeal to the government to deal with problems at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which see at least nine surgical teams in ophthalmology using one operating theatre.
It is coming from the head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Mr David Callender.
This situation along with the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in scores more glaucoma and cataract patients being added to the already long waiting list for surgery.
However, Mr Callender says they have devised a plan to help reduce the backlog.
Mr Callender was speaking last night on the CBC TV 8’s programme, the People’s Business. He made the comments as the QEH launches its Glaucoma Week surgery initiative today.
The expectation is to complete 20 glaucoma surgeries this week, as the operating theatre has been primarily dedicated to dealing with these cases.
Meanwhile, Associate Consultant in the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr Dawn Grosvenor, revealed the waiting list stands at about 70 patients, and the Department is hoping to make progress with addressing the backlog in the coming weeks.
She is however says the only way to address the situation is to get the Lion’s Eye Care Centre up and running as a matter of urgency.
Now for patients coming in for surgery this week, you are being assured there is nothing to fear with the high success rate of glaucoma surgeries, over 90 per cent.
Registered nurse Keila Goodridge spoke about the process.
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