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Cataract surgery

The simple part

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A chara, – As someone who spent many years training to be an eye surgeon, the recent description of cataract surgery as “the simplest of surgeries” by Fintan O’Toole took me by surprise (“The cataract bus is, like all great Irish inventions, the fruit of carelessness and clientelism”, Opinion & Analysis, September 3rd). This quick and painless procedure for the patient takes thousands of hours of training and practice. Simple it is not.

The long waiting lists for cataract surgery are a direct result of poor management and inadequate resources. It is one of the few areas of the health service where the need can be calculated and planned for according to known population data. Simple. – Is mise,

CIAN Ó COILEÁIN,

Consultant Ophthalmologist,

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Derry.