Ricky’s eye implant is a first for Kent

A retired signmaker who was the first patient in Kent to have a special tube inserted in his eye to preserve his vision said he would recommend the procedure to anyone.

Ricky Farebrother, 74, had the tiny silicon tube implanted by consultant ophthalmic surgeon Mr Anastasios Lavaris at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and was back home the same day.

The device helps reduce pressure within the eye by draining fluid from inside the eye to a reservoir behind the eyelid – the fluid is later absorbed by blood vessels. It is used as a treatment for glaucoma, a progressive eye condition where increased pressure damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss. Although similar devices have been used for more than 20 years, the Paul implant is thinner and more pliable and presents fewer risks to patients.

Mr Farebrother, from Hythe, had previously been prescribed eye drops to try to manage his glaucoma but was suffering increasing discomfort.

He said: “It was a very straight-forward decision to make, either have the operation or risk going blind so I decided to go for it.

“Mr Lavaris explained everything so clearly so I understood exactly what would happen, and I was confident I was in good hands.

“It has already made a massive difference – in just four days the pressure measurement in my eye had halved, and there was much less irritation and discomfort.”

The procedure took about two hours and was done under general anaesthetic. Previously people would have had to travel to London for the same treatment.

Mr Farebrother, who has two daughters and four grandchildren, said: “I had to go to Moorfields hospital in London previously and the teams there are under a lot of pressure so anything that helps reduce that has to be a positive.

“It was wonderful to be able to have it so close to home and be back in my own surroundings just a few hours later.

“The whole team were so helpful and they made me feel so comfortable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone in a similar situation.”

Mr Lavaris said introducing the Paul device had been one of his top priorities when he joined East Kent Hospitals.

He said: “The lead of our glaucoma service, Miss Albena Dardzhikova, who also performs this procedure, has been extremely supportive and I am hugely grateful to our theatre staff and procurement – the effort put in by the entire team has been fantastic.

“Until now, people who needed this procedure would have to be referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London so we are very pleased to be able to offer it locally now.”