Why should I do my eye treatments privately?

The first thing to say is that diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration can be treated very effectively on the NHS. There are however some restrictions which have been imposed.

For example, with macular degeneration, the visual acuity has to be below a certain level before treatment can be given. And with diabetic retinopathy, there is a technical determinant, for example, the thickness of the macula. If it’s thicker than a certain amount then NHS treatment is allowed.

The other advantages of having private treatment are that you see the same person each time, that you have the time at consultation to asks questions, and there should be the convenience of appointments to suit your schedule.

More about Paul Rosen

Paul Rosen is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at The Grange Eye Consultants. His special expertise is in laser eye surgery, cataract surgery, and the treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal diseases. He has over 20 years experience in treating people with eye problems. Paul is invited to lecture on cataract and refractive surgery both nationally and internationally. He leads clinical trials investigating novel eye treatments. Paul has served as the President of the UK and Ireland Society of Refractive Surgeons and is currently the President of the European Society of Corneal and Refractive Surgery. More recently I’d been appointed as a member of the NICE Cataract Guidelines Committee and also on the Refractive Surgery Subcommittee of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.