The clinical team at Bristol Eye Hospital asked whether the Friends might fund a video that would better inform patients of what to expect when they’re referred for cataract surgery. This would improve the quality of consultations – and potentially reduce the time staff spend explaining the processes in clinic. It would also “showcase the hospital’s brilliant cataract service”.

We were happy to help. The video has now been produced by the NHS Medical Illustrations Team and is narrated by BEH consultant ophthalmologist Omar Elhaddad. You can view it here.

This grant cost £3,000.

2 January 2025

Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital and corporate sponsors Haag Streit and Veni Vidi subsidised the costs of the eye hospital’s Autumn Ball. We were especially keen to ensure the cost of attending was affordable for all staff.

Ophthalmologist Panos Maghsoudlou, who co-organised the event, has written: “The evening was well attended, hugely popular, and filled with great energy and enthusiasm. Guests enjoyed fine food and wine, and the dance floor was buzzing all night! It was truly a memorable occasion, bringing people together in celebration and support of our shared cause.”

He added, “We are incredibly grateful for your continued commitment and generosity, which makes such a meaningful difference to our work.”

20 December 2024

Bristol Eye Hospital currently uses iCare tonometers to measure patients’ intraocular pressures. The check is required because an elevated pressure could be a symptom of certain eye conditions, notably glaucoma. The Friends have frequently purchased tonometers for the hospital.

There is now an alternative device that provides clinicians with more insightful information and which may be less expensive in the long term: the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA).

Following positive initial trials, the hospital asked the Friends to purchase two ORAs to further test the concept. If these tests confirm the anticipated advantages, we may well be asked to provide more.

This grant cost £27,000.

20 December 2024

One of our longest-standing trustees, Heather Walker, has retired after 45 years’ dedicated service. She became a trustee only two years after the Friends started.

Heather was Membership Secretary in the early years and continued to help with secretarial work whenever needed but her major contribution throughout her 45 years has been her key role in organising the many events held to raise much-needed funds for the hospital.

Former secretary and chair Dinah Harrison paid tribute to Heather for the enormous amount of work she has carried out over such a long time, saying “Whether it was a garden party, jazz supper, antiques road show, race night or boat trip, Heather was at the centre of it. Her wide social connections, planning, communication, persuasive charm and hard work on the day made our events so successful.”

We wish Heather all the best in her well-deserved retirement.

13 December 2024

Kat Jedrysiak raised £218 by organising a 10k run along the River Avon on Sunday 13 October. Five hospital staff (Vanessa, Lauren and Kat from Theatre Department, Carmen from an office and Debbie from an outpatient department) took part.

Kat was very happy with how the event went and said she was “proud of all of us.”

“There is such a nice feeling after raising money for a good cause. Furthermore we had an amazing time, getting to know each other better as we are from different departments and finishing with a coffee at the Ashton Court café.”

She hopes to run more events in future in support of Friends of Bristol Eye Hospital.

13 December 2024

Children with special needs are 28 times more likely to have serious eyesight problems than other children.

Regular eye checks are vital, but it’s proven much better if hospital staff can visit these children in the familiar environment of their own schools. We have funded a film to explain to parents and teachers how the tests are done. You can see the video.

The tests include games and toys to distract and relax children, enabling staff to complete the examinations and prescribe appropriate glasses so children can see better, which helps their development, education and behaviour.

Some children may still need to visit the hospital for more complex tests. A special area is set aside for children, with colourful pictures on the walls and an aquarium, which we purchased in 2011 and have maintained ever since.

2 December 2024

The ophthalmology service at Weston General Hospital (WGH) includes paediatric ophthalmology clinics. Expanding the service in Weston means families don’t have to travel up to Bristol for their care and allows precious resources to be used at the BEH for Bristol-area patients.

The WGH service wanted to install additional digital vision testing charts in the Seashore (paediatric) outpatient department, which would ensure that all clinical rooms can be utilised for ophthalmology clinics. The Friends have purchased three Thomson charts, complete with mini PCs and 24″ clinical quality LCD monitors including infrared control and wall mounting brackets.

This grant cost £4,785.

2 October 2024

On 19 September, the Friends held a fund-raising wine-tasting evening, which those attending said was a ‘great success’.  Held in the prestigious Clifton Club, the event was sold-out and raised £1,070 for the Friends.

Hosted by Clifton wine merchants DBM Wines, six different wines were tasted – three white, and three red – from countries including Lebanon, Georgia and Romania.  DBM Wines director Richard Davis related the history of each of the wines being tasted, which added enormously to the evening’s enjoyment.

The funds raised were boosted by generous donations from some who were unable to attend and from DBM Wines, a raffle (the prizes for which were kindly donated) and the sale of our Christmas cards.

24 September 2024, updated 12 November

The Friends recently funded the painting of murals on Level 3 of the Eye Hospital. These are intended to boost the morale of patients and their families, and offer a momentary distraction from their time in the hospital, which may be stressful or anxiety inducing.

According to the Paintings in Hospitals charity, “art can help us stay well, aid our recovery from illness and injury, and support us to live longer, more fulfilling lives.”

The murals were designed and painted by Lizzy Naden, who is both an ophthalmic technician at the hospital and a professional visual artist.

24 October 2024