Eye patients get more choice thanks to Hillingdon Hospital innovation
Patients in north-west London requiring complex eye surgery can now receive treatment closer to home, after Hillingdon Hospital became one of the centres to offer a specialist service.
The hospital in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon has successfully carried out its first vitreoretinal surgery, marking a major milestone after two years of planning, investment and preparation.
The procedure treats conditions affecting the back of the eye, including retinal detachments, macular holes and epiretinal membranes - a thin layer of scar-like tissue that forms on the surface of the retina. These can lead to significant sight loss if left untreated. The service also enables surgeons to manage some complications arising from cataract surgery that previously required patients to travel elsewhere for specialist treatment.
The new service was made possible through a comprehensive business case prepared and presented by surgeons at the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Hillingdon and Mount Vernon Hospitals. This was followed by procurement of specialist equipment, upgrades to theatre facilities and extensive staff training. Historically, Hillingdon Hospital had no vitreoretinal service and lacked the infrastructure needed to undertake these highly specialised procedures.
Ms Pallavi Tyagi, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal surgeon said: "Because of our location and demographics, there is a strong demand for this type of surgery. Our community has pockets of need and conditions associated with sight-threatening eye disease.
Local patients can access specialist treatment closer to home, reducing travel and improving their overall experience.
"We are now able to offer tertiary level complex eye surgery. This means local patients can access specialist treatment closer to home, reducing travel and improving their overall experience."
Mr Charanjit Sethi, Clinical Specialty Lead for Ophthalmology, ENT, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery added: "Delivering this service has been a tremendous team effort. We had to ensure that while we were developing the service, our patients continued to receive the same high standard of care they have always received.
Our staff have undergone specialist training for procedures that had never previously been carried out at Hillingdon. We can now offer a service that is in high demand locally
"Our staff have undergone specialist training for procedures that had never previously been carried out at Hillingdon. We can now offer a service that is in high demand locally, using highly specialised equipment and expertise to treat conditions affecting the back of the eye."
The Trust has invested in some of the most advanced ophthalmic technology and equipment available, including the Alcon Unity Vitreoretinal Cataract System and the Zeiss Artevo ophthalmic microscope with RESIGHT imaging system. The equipment enables surgeons to perform complex procedures with exceptional precision and visualisation.
Mr Sethi said: "We can also manage complications that sometimes arise from cataract surgery which previously required patients to attend other hospitals. Being able to provide this care at Hillingdon represents a significant step forward for our ophthalmology service and for patients across north-west London."
The launch of the new vitreoretinal service further strengthens Hillingdon Hospital's reputation as a centre for advanced ophthalmic care and forms part of the Trust's wider commitment to bringing more specialist services closer to the communities it serves. For patients facing the prospect of sight loss, it offers access to life-changing treatment without having to leave their local hospital.
Looking ahead, the service is expected to grow steadily and offer surgery to Hillingdon and neighbouring boroughs and counties. Activity will ramp up over the coming months, with eligible patients increasingly being offered the opportunity to have their surgery at Hillingdon rather than travelling to specialist centres elsewhere in London.
The Ophthalmology Team is now keen to raise awareness of the new service among colleagues, patients and healthcare partners.
They will also be promoting the service directly to patients and referrers, including local community optometrists, through a dedicated retinal continuing professional development (CPD) event later this year. The event will provide an opportunity to showcase the new specialist service, strengthen local referral pathways and highlight the benefits of receiving specialist eye care closer to home.
As Ms Tyagi said: "This is just the beginning. We've built the foundations for a service that will make a real difference to local people for many years to come, and we're excited to see it develop and grow."