People who live in Winchester and surrounding areas have become the latest in Britain to be able to undergo laser eye surgery with a locally-based consultant surgeon.

The surgical procedure, now being carried out on an estimated 30,000 people in Britain every year, has recently grabbed the headlines thanks to a succession of celebrity converts. Even Elton John, arguably the most famous spectacle wearer in the world, has announced that he will finally abandon his glasses when he opts to have treatment.

The growing appeal of the procedure has prompted London-based specialist LaserVision to extend laser eye surgery to regional centres across the country. The latest centre to utilise the high-tech mobile service is The Wessex Nuffield Hospital at Chandler's Ford.

Mr Rob Morris, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at The Wessex Nuffield, has treated a succession of satisfied patients using this new facility at the hospital since it opened late last year. The mobile laser unit has enabled both Rob and the hospital to build on their ophthalmic service.

The laser, now at Chandler's Ford, is the world's most widely used and studied excimer laser, appreciated by both patients and surgeons alike for its three dimensional eyetracker, and record of safety and accuracy. It is the fastest at checking and rechecking the position of the eye between laser pulses, capturing over 99% of all eye movements during LASIK surgery.

LASIK, a particular form of eye surgery that stands for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis, has already proved popular with a succession of celebrities including Sir Richard Branson and Tiger Woods. Its corrects a patient's vision by altering the shape of the cornea, changing the way light is focused by the eye on the retina.

With the list of patients at Chandler's Ford growing steadily, Rob says he has been impressed with the quality of the equipment. Rob is an enthusiastic supporter of LASIK surgery being available in regional centres. "Many people wish to see a local consultant for their LASIK," he says "Here they will see me before consultation, I will carry out the surgery and will see me afterwards. We can provide a comprehensive ophthalmic service with continuity of care."

He appreciates why so many people are now interested in refractive eye surgery, both in the UK and internationally and, having first carried out PRK - an earlier form of eye surgery - in 1994, is pleased to be able to add LASIK to his clinical practice.

"Refractive surgery is the most rapidly expanding field of ophthalmology and can make such a difference to someone's quality of life, so I wanted to able to offer this service to local residents," he says.

The Wessex Nuffield has already established a reputation with local consultant surgeons including Rob Morris, providing treatments such as cataract and squint correction as well as PRK. With the addition of the LaserVision mobile unit, Rob believes the range of services offered on site will be one of the most comprehensive on the south coast.

The Wessex Nuffield Hospital can be contacted on 023 8026 6377

HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE - January 24th 2003