Ophthalmology

1.107 Ophthalmology is the treatment of eye diseases and injuries, eye injections and surgical procedures, for children, young people and adults. Currently, ophthalmology hospital services are provided from Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip, and Withybush. In the community, outpatient clinics are provided at a number of locations (see Table 5). 

1.108 Hywel Dda outlined three different options for how ophthalmology services could be delivered. In its options, the Health Board could bring together most services at either Glangwili or Prince Philip with the aim of reducing the time patients spend on waiting lists, helping with staff shortages, and making the service run better.  

1.109 In all proposed options, Withybush would continue to provide some outpatient services; Amman Valley Hospital would be used for either day case for cataracts or eye injections only; Cardigan Integrated Care Centre and North Road Eye Clinic (Aberystwyth) would offer outpatient services; and no service would be provided from Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre. Regular eye injection services would be carried out at all sites providing outpatient services. 

Table 5: Consultation options – ophthalmology