Cataract Pre-operation Assessment Service (Halton & St Helens)

NHS Halton & St Helens launched a Cataract Assessment Service on 2nd November 2015. All local contractors who see patients registered with a GP in Halton or St Helens can apply to Primary Eyecare Services for a contract to provide the service.

The service will include discussion of pros and cons of surgery and consideration of symptoms related to cataract. Dilated fundus examination is not compulsory, but expected in many cases to investigate other sources of symptoms or visual blur. Where patients have significant cataract causing disabling glare or blur, affecting their lifestyle and quality of vision, they will be referred directly to the provider of their choice.

The LOC continues to lobby the ICB and place managers to encourage them to commisison the same service in Knowsley and Warrington

Primary Eyecare Services have developed a resource to obtain information about Cataract services providers, including NHS trusts and independent sector sites. The link below will assist optometrists in comparing the various treatment options with their patients: