Eye centre set to get £80,000 new scanner (From The Oxford Times)

Eye centre set to get £80,000 new scanner

9:30am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News

AN Oxford hospital is set to get a pioneering eye scanner which will help detect rare sight problems in children.

The Oxford Eye Hospital at the John Radcliffe has ordered the £80,000 machine, which works by using specialised cameras to scan the retinas of children.

The hospital was able to purchase the machine thanks to the efforts of Anthony Strain, whose baby daughter Emma was born in March with a rare genetic condition known as Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP).

Emma suffered a detached retina and was treated at the Oxford Eye Hospital by CK Patel, a surgeon who was fundraising for the machine.

The family, from Southend, were so grateful to Mr Patel they raised £20,000 with a sponsored three-day 100-mile walk from Southend to the JR.

Mr Strain said: “The cameras will make it easier, safer and less painful to monitor the eyes of Emma and infants with similar eye problems, and provide a clear image of the retina. This equipment will form a key part of Emma’s ongoing care as Mr Patel keeps a close watch on her good eye.

“There are also the benefits for future infants who need such specialist attention and care.

“This will allow the Oxford Eye Hospital to remain a key centre for paediatric retinal care both in terms of service and research to prevent and treat blinding diseases of the retina.”

• To donate to the scanner go to justgiving.com/3menandababy