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New patient waiting time targets in Wales may be having a negative effect on the region's sight.
With the Welsh Assembly Government wanting all patients in the country to be seen within 26 weeks of referral, those that have already had appointments in the past may be suffering.
Nick Hawksworth, a council member for Wales for the Royal college of Ophthalmologists, told the BBC that the targets had an "adverse" effect on follow-up patients.
"Within Wales we have some very clear anecdotal evidence of patients who have already suffered irreversible sight loss as a result of delayed appointments."
Getting regular eye checks is important for everyone, even those with good
natural vision.
Some may be put off visiting opticians and doctors because they are concerned about having to wear glasses or daily contact lenses.
However, ortho k lenses provide a new way of returning to
natural vision without the need for wearing visionary aids in the day.
The special overnight lenses are worn at night and help to reshape the cornea, meaning that there is no need to wear glasses or contacts in the day to improve vision.
