Nurse-led laser clinic supports patients after cataract surgery | News

A new laser clinic led by a specialist nurse is helping increase capacity for patients needing 'after-cataract' care.

A YAG laser capsulotomy treats 'after-cataract', a common condition where the membrane behind your lens implant becomes hazy after your original operation.

Weekly YAG laser clinics at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, had been run by specialist doctors but since June they have also been run by Bincy Prince, an experienced and highly-trained ophthalmic specialist nurse.

Bincy who is leading the new clinic at Maidstone Hospital, said: 

“After cataract surgery, the bag (capsule) holding your implant in place, inside your eye, can thicken and mist over causing your vision to blur. This can happen quite often after cataract surgery and is known as capsule opacification.

“A quick and painless laser treatment clears a central window in this capsule. This is called a capsulotomy and can be performed easily as an outpatient procedure.”

Bincy has worked at the trust since 2006 and alongside her NHS nursing role has taken a postgraduate certificate, a postgraduate diploma and has now completed a Master’s in Clinical Ophthalmic Practice. 

Alongside the new laser clinic she also has a virtual glaucoma clinic and supports patient with uveitis and macular degeneration.

Asked about the motivation for developing her role, Bincy points to a nurse consultant who mentored her early in her career as a role model. She also praised Head of Nursing, Claire Manneh and Matron, Sheila Craft for their support while she was completing her training.

Speaking about the importance of using the full extent of her training to benefit patients, she talked about how important it was to put her learning into practice, adding: “It’s really important to me that I keep the skills I’ve gained.”

Not content to rest on her laurels, Bincy’s next aim is to offer her own selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) clinic for glaucoma, to help make sure more patients get the care they need, as soon as possible.