appeal
Eye Clinic Appeal – Frimley Park Hospital
To ambitiously transform corneal care at Frimley Park Hospital by raising £180,000 to purchase a cutting-edge excimer laser. This groundbreaking technology will save sight, halt disease progression, and deliver world-class treatment right here in our community.
Imagine being told that you, your loved one or your child’s vision will progressively deteriorate. That they won’t be able to kick a ball with friends in the park or colour that picture they’re so proud of. That you won’t be able to read their favourite bedtime story or drive your car one day. Whether the world they’re just beginning to explore or the world you live in will slowly become blurry and indistinct. For those diagnosed with keratoconus at Frimley Park Hospital, this is their heartbreaking reality. Those diagnosed with keratoconus suffer from persistent pain and blurred vision due to a corneal scar from a previous injury or infection, and struggle with daily activities because their eyes don’t work well together after cataract surgery. These conditions affect patients of all ages, impacting their independence, comfort, and quality of life.
The excimer laser treats corneal conditions quickly and precisely, halting sight loss and reducing the need for surgery with faster recovery. The excimer laser offers versatile, sight-saving treatments for multiple corneal conditions:
Our investment in cutting-edge excimer laser technology represents a significant advancement in patient care, delivering exceptional clinical outcomes that directly benefit our patients. This advanced system has demonstrated remarkable success in treating keratoconus, with a 90% success rate in halting disease progression. Proven results show that 77% of patients experienced improved corneal shape, and 56% achieved better uncorrected vision following combined laser and crosslinking treatment. Most significantly, this technology reduces the need for corneal transplants by up to 50% over a five-year period, while also delivering superior results in corneal scar removal compared to traditional methods and enhancing visual function for patients undergoing post-cataract surgery.
Beyond clinical outcomes, our excimer laser technology transforms the patient experience by streamlining treatment and reducing burdens on the NHS. Each procedure saves an average of 45 minutes in treatment time, eliminating the need for patients to travel for multiple appointments elsewhere. This convenience, combined with our ability to intervene at the optimal time in disease progression, significantly reduces vision-related anxiety and psychological distress that patients often experience. By bringing this cutting-edge capability in-house, we can provide more timely, convenient, and effective care for patients across all age groups, with early intervention providing the most significant impact on lifelong visual outcomes and overall quality of life.
We’re raising £180,000 to bring this vision to life. Your gift today can help transform lives. You can transform corneal care at Frimley Park Hospital. By investing in this sight-saving technology, we can prevent vision loss, eliminate the need for patients to travel for treatment, and ensure equitable access to advanced eye care for patients of all ages. Join us in making advanced corneal therapies a reality for our community.
An excimer laser is a gentle, precise medical device that can treat various eye conditions without major surgery. Think of it as a very sophisticated rubber that can carefully erase microscopic layers from the surface of the eye to improve vision and treat conditions that would otherwise require more invasive procedures or travel to specialist hospitals.
Currently, patients needing advanced corneal treatments must travel to distant specialist hospitals and face long waiting lists. This excimer laser will complete our eye clinic’s services, allowing us to treat patients locally with shorter waiting times and in familiar surroundings with their trusted clinical team.
The excimer laser can treat several eye conditions, including keratoconus (particularly in young adults), corneal scarring from injuries or infections, painful unstable corneal surfaces, and visual imbalances that can occur after cataract surgery.
While the excimer laser itself costs £140,000, we need to invest in essential materials, licences, and service plans to ensure the equipment operates safely and effectively. The total £180,000 includes the laser, service plan, and all necessary supporting materials and licences required to provide this treatment to our patients, plus the charity’s fundraising costs. This is a significant investment, but it’s sophisticated medical equipment that will serve our community for many years.
No, the excimer laser will work alongside our existing treatments. For example, we can now combine it with crosslinking treatment for keratoconus patients, which recent research shows improves outcomes in over 75% of cases.
Absolutely. We welcome in-memory donations. Please contact the Fundraising Team at fhft.fundraising@nhs.net to discuss how we can appropriately honour your loved one, or visit https://www.frimleyhealthcharity.org/donate/donate-in-memory/ for more information.
We’re committed to reaching our target through various fundraising activities. If there’s a shortfall, we may need to explore other funding sources or extend the appeal timeframe to ensure we can still provide this vital equipment for our patients.
All donations to the Eye Clinic Appeal will be ring-fenced specifically for purchasing the excimer laser and its service plan. As a registered charity, we’re transparent about how funds are used and can provide updates on the appeal’s progress.
We’d be delighted to arrange visits for significant donors to see the equipment. Please contact us to discuss this once the laser has been installed in the clinic.
Yes, if you’re a UK taxpayer, we can claim Gift Aid on your donation at no extra cost to you, making your gift worth 25% more. We’ll provide all necessary paperwork to maximise the benefit of your generosity.
You can help bring sight-saving care to those who need it most. Donate today and preserve someone’s vision.
We need your donation today to save sight and save futures. The treatment that transforms lives is within reach. Please help us complete our corneal care service.
