An eye hospital is opening a new NHS clinic in Bolton where residents can visit for diagnosis.

Optegra Eye Hospital Manchester is launching a series of diagnostic clinics in areas surrounding Manchester.

Didsbury-based Optegra will also roll out diagnostic clinics in Oldham, Trafford and Stockport during July.

Residents can now have their diagnostic tests done at these clinics and determine their need for surgery without having to travel all the way to Didsbury.

Patients will be welcomed at each location by one of the Optegra optometrists.

The actual surgical procedure will be performed at the main hospital, while follow-up consultations will be held either at the patient's regular community optometrist or via Optegra AI.

Christa Gore, an optometrist at Optegra Eye Hospital Manchester said: "The whole process of cataract surgery is very straight-forward for the patient, and the brief, pain free procedure really can transform vision and quality of life.

"By opening these four new regional diagnostic clinics, we are making the process even easier.

"On a logistical level, patients can book in at their nearest clinic - which will be in an NHS facility or private GP practice, with the convenience of being close to home."

In the past 18 months, eight NHS cataract hospitals have been launched by Optegra from York and Preston to Colchester, Brighton and Maidstone.

Robert Pilling, Optegra business development director said: "These optometrist-led clinics will provide a convenient and accessible service in the regions surrounding our Manchester hospital.

"This launch follows on from Optegra’s commitment to supporting the NHS and reducing the long waiting lists which we saw post-Covid.

"When a patient is referred to us for cataract treatment, it is excellent that we now have more locations to offer for them to begin their treatment journey at their convenience and closer to home."

Optegra Eye Health Care, the parent company, is a specialist provider of ophthalmic services, with 39 eye hospitals and over 60 locations across the UK, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.