New cataract clinic a sight for sore eyes to some P.E.I. patients

A new clinic where patients can have publicly funded cataract surgeries, cutting into lengthy wait times for Prince Edward Islanders with blurred vision, is now open in Charlottetown. 

The Cataract Outpatient Clinic in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond building on Minna Jane Drive started performing surgeries earlier this week, and some say it's a game changer. 

"We've seen these clinics in other places in Canada and they have been successful," said Dr. Guy Boswall, an ophthalmologist at the new clinic.

"We decided that this was probably the best way for us to deal with the wait times for cataract surgery."

There are currently 2,500 people on the wait list for cataract surgery in P.E.I., meaning some patients might wait a year and a half to see clearly again, after developing cloudy areas in the lenses of their eyes.

Boswall said the new clinic could ensure that everyone currently on that list gets surgery by next spring, with specialists possibly working on Saturdays to help clear the backlog. 

"I think we have a beautiful facility that will function extremely well to deal with our wait times," he said. "We've made a commitment that we will do that and we will."

Boswall hopes the clinic will eventually be able to handle up to 4,000 patients a year.

About 90 per cent of the surgeries needed on the Island will take place at the new clinic, and the rest will continue to happen at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. 

'No different than a hospital'

At an official opening ceremony Friday, health officials stressed there is no cost for Islanders who have cataract surgery at the clinic and said the operation does not amount to a form of private health care. 

"This is part of our public health-care system," said Minister of Health and Wellness Mark McLane. "It's just community-based, outside of the hospital."

New P.E.I. eye clinic aims to have 'shortest wait list in Canada' for cataract surgery

5 months ago

Duration 6:13

A new eye-health centre opening soon in Charlottetown is expected to take on the lion's share of cataract surgeries in P.E.I., starting when its surgical division gets up and running by the end of the year. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin spoke to opthalmologist Dr. Ibrahim Elaraoud about what kind of services Islanders can expect and when.

McLane said ophthalmologists will be paid on a fee-for-service basis, so it doesn't matter if the surgery is performed at the hospital or not.

"This is no different than a hospital environment. The same triage and wait time systems will apply here. There is no jumping the queue," he said. "It's still funded by medicare."

'It was amazing'

Some Islanders that have already had cataract surgery at the clinic say it has a lot of benefits. 

"It was amazing," said Sheila Crockett, the first person to ever have surgery at the clinic. "It's different than the QEH, where I had to get in a johnny shirt and have an IV put into my arm. Here you stay in your street clothes and [there's] no poking of the arm, which is all really, really lovely."

She added: "The parking at the QEH is not that great, as we all know, and hospitals are a little intimidating… The clinic was very relaxed and professional."

Crockett said that after having the surgery, she can see more clearly and is able to drive at night again. 

P.E.I. is the last province in Atlantic Canada to open this kind of community-based clinic for cataract surgeries.