A new specialist NHS cataract clinic in Colchester has welcomed its first patient.

81-year-old Robert Hatch, from Wivenhoe, attended a consolation on the clinic's opening day and is preparing for his cataract operation next month.

The clinic forms part of Optegra Eye Health Care, a system of specialist eye hospitals and clinics dispersed throughout the UK which provide cataract and vision correction procedures.

Optegra Colchester caters particularly to local residents in need of NHS cataract treatment, enabling them to bypass lengthy waiting lists.

Mr Hatch, who enjoys carpet bowling, received a cataract diagnosis three years ago, during the pandemic.

He said: "New glasses fixed my vision for a while but then it started to get blurry even with my glasses on.

"It made it difficult to judge the wood border when bowling in the afternoon and I definitely felt that my vision was worse day-to-day."

Surgical intervention was suggested to Mr Hatch last September to remove the cataracts, but he opted to wait for the opening of the new Colchester clinic instead of seeking assistance elsewhere.

He continued: "My wife doesn’t like to drive long distances so it worked for us to visit the Optegra Colchester clinic.

"I had no idea that I was going to be the first patient though.

"My experience has been absolutely brilliant, the staff were wonderful and welcoming.

"I would certainly say the service is excellent and anyone who has reservations really need not worry.”

Clinic manager Charlotte Brown added: "We were delighted to welcome Robert as our first patient.

"All the staff here have loved seeing people finally coming through the door after all our hard work behind the scenes before opening.

"Cataract patients simply need to ask their optician or GP to refer them to Optegra Eye Clinic Colchester and we look forward to welcoming them.”

Mr Hatch retired 16 years ago and now enjoys bowling with his friends and watching garden birds in the neighbouring village, with clear vision as his imminent prospect.

The clinic was officially made open to the public earlier this month by mayor of Colchester, councillor John Jowers.