SpaMedica on Loxley House, Baldertongate, Newark launches new treatment to tackle rising glaucoma cases

A new service launching this month will help almost 10,000 people living with the ‘silent thief’ of sight.

SpaMedica Newark, which opened in September 2021, will offer screening and treatment to NHS glaucoma patients from its state-of-the-art hospital at Loxley House, Baldertongate, from October 2025.

It is part of a roll-out of specialist ophthalmic services by SpaMedica, which has seen glaucoma clinics open at 13 of its hospitals nationwide.

Rather than being one disease, glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve.

It’s estimated that more than 700,000 people in the UK have glaucoma — described as the ‘silent thief’ of sight — with the condition accounting for around 20% of all outpatient appointments in hospital eye services.

The number of people living with glaucoma is predicted to increase by almost a third between 2020 and 2035.

The new clinics introduced by SpaMedica since 2023 support NHS ambitions to allow more people to access treatments closer to home and in their communities

Claire Wood is the clinical lead for Glaucoma at SpaMedica. She said: “Glaucoma can affect anyone, although the most common type of the disease — Primary Open Angle Glaucoma – is more common as we age, rising from about two in 100 over the age of 40 to more than one in 20 in those aged 80-plus.

“Ethnicity and family history can also increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

“Unfortunately, some people experience no symptoms, so are unaware they have it.

“Left undetected, it can cause irreversible damage, which means regular eye tests – and treatment without delay - are crucial.

“The good news is we can offer NHS patients a fast-track referral service to our Newark hospital, so people can get the care they need locally.”