Worcestershire eye surgeon marks double milestone with 500th glaucoma and 20,000th cataract procedure

A leading Worcestershire ophthalmologist has been praised after clocking two milestone number of procedures for glaucoma treatment and cataract removal on the same patient. 

Paul Caffull was unaware when he went to Newmedica Worcester that the double surgeries he was about to undergo to avoid blindness in his left eye would be significant for the surgeon. 

It turned out the 75-year-old’s glaucoma surgery would be the 500^th Mr Tarun Sharma has done in Worcestershire, while his cataract replacement surgery on the same day would be Mr Sharma’s 20,000^th. 

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery is a keyhole method of lowering pressure in the eye, and it has a much higher safety profile and shorter recovery time than traditional, more invasive glaucoma surgeries. 

Cataract surgery involves removing a cloudy natural eye lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens.  

Although cataracts are relatively common and easily treatable, they cause blurred vision and eventually blindness if ignored. Likewise, the abnormally high pressure caused by glaucoma can cause blindness if not treated. 

Paul, who lives in Lives in Bromsgrove, said: “I had no idea that my surgeries were significant for Mr Sharma. He explained everything and was absolutely wonderful. He did both my surgeries during the same visit. There was no pain. It was fine. 

“I was slightly apprehensive about the surgeries beforehand, but I was lucky because my wife has a walking group and one of them told her that there’s nothing to be worried about, and they were right. 

“I know there are many people who get nervous about this sort of surgery, but there’s really nothing at all to worry about. 

“If I can help other people not to worry about this surgery by speaking about this, then that’s got to be good.” 

Among Mr Sharma’s many achievements, he has been instrumental in establishing Worcestershire’s complex glaucoma surgical service, focusing on advanced treatments for the condition.  

He also lectures about glaucoma internationally and across the UK, as well as publishing various industry-leading papers on glaucoma, one of which was a world first. 

Mr Sharma said: “I’m honoured to have reached these landmark procedures, and to have reached them on the same patient seems appropriate. 

“To hear about how successful Mr Caffull’s surgeries have been is the reason why I do the job I do. By avoiding blindness, surgeries like these really can change people’s lives for the better.” 

In addition to Mr Sharma, Newmedica Worcester is owned and run by consultant ophthalmologists Mr Malcolm Woodcock, Mr Ranjit Nair, Mr Salman Mirza, Mr Tom Jackson and Mr Matthew Edmunds, as well as operations director Josh Raden. 

Newmedica Worcester offers private treatment and services on behalf of the NHS, helping to reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes. 

To learn more about the Newmedica Worcester clinic, go online at   

www.newmedica.co.uk/clinics/worcester.