The first Island-based clinic to treat the eye condition ‘Wet’ Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) took place on Friday at Noble’s hospital.
It's being seen as the first step in moving the treatment for the majority of the Island’s ARMD patients from the UK to the Isle of Man over the coming months.
Health Minister Howard Quayle had promised to investigate options for an on-Island service when he was appointed health and social care minister last year.
The service is operated by the department’s existing partner, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with the clinicians now travelling to the Island rather than patients going to Liverpool.
‘Wet’ ARMD affects people in later life, and with the Island’s ageing population the number of people diagnosed has been increasing year-on-year, with the trend expected to continue.
Treatment takes place in a new state-of-the-art clinic at Noble’s hospital developed specially for the service.
That has cost money to establish, but it's expected the on-Island service will be funded by the money saved on patient transfers.