ROYAL Surrey County Hospital has become a training centre for an innovative treatment to help glaucoma suffers.

It was one of the first hospitals in the country to use the Xen micro tube and in the past 18 months has performed more than 60 procedures.

Consultant surgeons at the Guildford hospital are now training colleagues from other hospitals in the procedure, as well as staff from the product’s manufacturer from across Europe.

Glaucoma is triggered by a build-up of fluid in the eye that if left untreated can lead to a loss of vision. The Xen micro tube is a tiny stent just six millimeters long.

It helps to drain away the excess liquid within the eye and reduces pressure on the optic nerve causing the disease to slow down or stop progressing.

Glaucoma can affect people of all ages, including babies and young children, but is most common in adults in their 70s and 80s.

Dan Lindfield, consultant ophthalmologist in charge of glaucoma treatmentm said: “The procedure takes just eight minutes compared to the hour required for alternative treatments.

“Using the stent also does not involve any large cuts or stitches and as a result patients benefit from reduced risk and faster recovery.

“We are delighted to share our knowledge and expertise of this procedure with other colleagues.”

Mr Lindfield has lectured on both national and European stages this year about the new procedure.