THIS year marks a bumper celebration for the Royal Bolton’s eye clinic with the service nominated for a prestigious national prize as it celebrates its 21st birthday.

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Simon Kelly and the clinic’s macular service are both in the running for the clinical service of the year award from the Macular Society.

The hospital has been nominated for its “exceptionally good practice” in the care, diagnosis and treatment of people with macular degeneration and central vision loss.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the central vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK.

Mr Kelly, who joined Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in 1991, said the eye department’s 21st birthday this year would add to the celebrations.

He said: “I am delighted to be nominated for the award for excellence by the Macular Society as both an individual and as a member of the multi-disciplinary hospital team along with colleagues.

“The team at the Royal Bolton Hospital provides an excellent service to patients with macular diseases.”

The Royal Bolton’s eye unit has been visited by royalty, Government ministers and TV stars over the years and has received multiple awards.

It has also pioneered new ways of treating patients — including allowing nurses to carry out eye injections.

Mr Kelly said: “In recent years many of the leading macular diseases have become increasingly treatable with novel medications given by injections into the eye.

“Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was one of the early adopters of nurses undertaking such eye injections and we are now campaigning for changes to EU medication regulations to allow these to become more widespread.

“Sadly, some diseases of the macula remain untreatable and the team at the Royal Bolton are deeply involved in research — with more than 300 patients currently involved in macular condition clinical trials at the trust.”

Macular Society judges will present the winners with awards at their London conference on September 26.

Cathy Yelf, chief executive of the Macular Society, said: “We’re delighted that Royal Bolton Hospital has been nominated for one of our awards.

“It’s a tribute to the wonderful work going on at the hospital and we are grateful that even within very stretched NHS services there are people who can still provide truly excellent services.”

For more information on macular disease call the Macular Society’s helpline on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org