Patients to see waiting time reduction with new eye suite
AFTER a significant stride in enhancing healthcare services at Nenagh Hospital, the residents of Limerick and the Mid-West region will benefit from the introduction of the new eye suite.
This development, housed within the €1.5 million outpatients extension, marks a substantial expansion of outpatient and day case ophthalmology services, ensuring patients can now receive eye injections at the Nenagh Hospital for the first time.
Prior to the establishment of the eye suite, ophthalmology services in the area were predominantly provided at University Hospital Limerick.
However, this new initiative aligns perfectly with the objectives of the UL Hospitals Group to extend healthcare activities to model 2 hospitals, further complementing the framework of Slaintecare and the National Eye Care Plan formulated by the Irish College of Ophthalmologists.
Heading the new service at Nenagh is consultant ophthalmologist Mr Conall Hurley.
Among the latest treatments available to adult patients are intra-vitreal injections (IVTs), designed to address conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, and wet age-related macular degeneration.
The eye suite is also equipped with state-of-the-art ophthalmic lasers, enabling the treatment of post-cataract surgery capsular changes, retinal vascular diseases, and uncontrolled glaucoma.
It's important to note that the existing cataract surgery service will continue to operate in Nenagh.
Mr. Hurley expressed his delight at leading a team in Nenagh while also continuing to oversee ophthalmic emergency services in UHL.
“Since 2018, almost 5,000 patients have had their cataract surgery performed in Nenagh,” commented Mr Hurley. “In view of the success of the cataract service here, hospital management concluded that it would be complementary to have an expanded ophthalmology service located on the Nenagh campus.
“This would allow delivery of both outpatient clinics as well as appropriate treatments on the Nenagh campus as well.”