Improvement to cataract operation

The device makes a uniform incision into the tissue surrounding the lens.

A surgeon in Nottingham has come up with an invention to improve one of the most common operations.

Consultant ophthalmologist Dr John Stokes from the Queen's Medical Centre designed the cutting device to be used in cataract removal.

It makes a tricky part of the procedure - cutting tissue surrounding the lens - easier to carry out.

The device has already won two awards including a £300,000 prize which will help develop and manufacture it more.

The device works by cutting into the tiny sac, which has a consistency like cling-film, that holds the lens .

Mr Stokes said: "We hope that the advantage for patients will be that this small but crucial stage of the operation will be made even safer by making a very predictable sized opening the bag."

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The invention has already won national awards