A new eye clinic has opened, offering cataract and vision correction treatment to Kent residents – including NHS cataract surgery with a minimal wait for treatment.

Optegra Eye Health Care invited Cllr Matt Boughton, the leader of Tonbridge and Malling council to cut the ribbon to open its latest branch in Kings Hill.

Richard Armitage, the NHS Director for Optegra, said: "We have worked closely with the NHS for a decade and since the pandemic this aspect of our work has really stepped up a gear.

“It is well known that many people across the UK face huge waiting lists due to the backlog of patients awaiting treatment, but in fact ophthalmology is the second largest waiting list.

“Many people are suffering with cataracts, which will just get worse and impact vision, for far longer than they should.

"The only treatment is surgery, and we are delighted to be able to bring NHS cataract treatment in this specialist clinic to the people of Kent."

He added: “Simply ask your optician or GP to refer you for treatment within six weeks with our leading surgical teams.”

Cllr Boughton said: "The new clinic should help significantly in tackling the ophthalmic waiting lists we see across our borough.

"It’s great to have such investment in our local community."

The new clinic will initially focus only on NHS cataract surgery. However, in a few months it will extend its treatment to include private cataract surgery – where patients can choose to ‘upgrade’ their lens to also be free of glasses – and also vision correction surgery; from laser eye surgery to lens replacement and implantable contact lenses.

The clinic will treat all cataract and lens replacement patients on site, while laser eye surgery patients will have pre- and post-op clinics in the clinic but have the actual treatment at Optegra’s flagship hospital in London’s Harley Street district, with travel expenses covered.

Robert Petrarca is the clinic's lead consultant ophthalmic surgeon. He said: “I am excited to join this new venture."

He said: “Cataract is a natural ageing of the lens of the eye which causes clouding and affects vision – symptoms can include cloudiness, faded colours and noticing glare from lights for example when driving in the dark.

“The only solution is a highly successful surgical intervention where we replace the clouded lens with a new, synthetic one, in a 10-minute procedure.

"It is pain-free and conducted as a day patient. It truly transforms vision and patients tell us how much it improves their quality of life."

Helen Ransom, 62, from Grove Green, was the first patient through the doors. She attended for pre-op tests. She said: "My cataract affects my vision and can make life difficult, especially driving. Everything has gone cloudy and things that should be straight are not in a straight line any more.

"I am definitely less confident with driving and even walking around the supermarket is difficult, looking at prices and things. I love the nice weather and going on holiday, but with my cataract, looking towards the sunlight is just too bright."

She said: "I am looking forward to having the treatment in a few weeks time, it is very good service and lovely to be in a brand-new clinic."

The clinic will be run by Ibrahim Toma and can be found at 10 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, ME19 4AR. Details from www.optegra.com

Optegra Eye Health Care was established in 2007 and since then has completed more than one million eye procedures from its 34 eye hospitals and clinics across the UK, the Czech Republic and Poland.