EYE patients in East Lancashire face restrictions on cataract surgery, meaning some may have lost their sight unnecessarily, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
A new report from the charity has revealed a ‘shocking’ variation in rates of cataract operations across England. East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group was given an ‘orange rating’, meaning its policies ‘contain a visual acuity restriction, but allow for some exemptions’.
Blackburn with Darwen CCG received a green rating, meaning its policies had ‘no arbitrary restrictions’.
Clara Eaglen, the charity’s eye health campaigns manager, said: “Regional variation has created a postcode lottery which is simply unacceptable.”
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