Laser bid launch by Lions

An appeal for money to buy laser equipment for Newark Hospital is to be launched by several Lions clubs in the area.

Newark, along with Southwell and District, and Edwinstowe and Dukeries Lions clubs aim to raise £20,000 for a YAG Laser machine. Other Lions clubs in the area served by the hospital may also decide to contribute.

The appeal will be officially launched in the outpatients’ department of Newark Hospital on April 2 at 7.30pm for 8pm.

A consultant ophthalmologist, Mr Ponniah Nithianandan, is based at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield but holds weekly clinics along with two colleagues at Newark Hospital.

Mr Nithianandan said patients who had cataracts could have an operation at Newark Hospital to improve their vision by replacing the lens with an artificial lens.

Mr Nithianandan said that over a period of time, usually between three months and several years, some of the patients developed a membrane behind the implanted lens which caused blurred vision.

He said vision could be improved again by splitting the membrane with beams from the laser machine.

Mr Nithianandan said patients currently had to wait several weeks before the treatment could be done at King’s Mill.

He said many of them were more than 75-years-old and had other medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

He said most had no transport and had to be taken to and from the hospital by non-emergency ambulance.

Mr Nithianandan said the laser treatment took a few minutes to complete and could be done immediately after the condition was diagnosed.

He said cataract operations were carried out on about 20 patients a week. He said about five patients a week required laser treatment.

Mr Nithianandan asked the Lions for help via Newark Hospital’s League of Friends, which raises money for new equipment and improves the service that patients receive.

He said: “The other surgeons, patients and I are immensely grateful for what the Lions are doing.”