The Ophthalmic Laser fund was founded in 1980 the inaugural meeting taking place on the 9th of September 1980. where it was resolved that a Laser machine was needed for the unit and that an appeal be launched to fund this piece of equipment .The fund was started with an initial donation of £1000 from Mr. De in memory of his mother who had suffered from diabetic retinopathy, an appeal committee was formed to fundraise for the purchase of a “ laser” by the time sufficient money had been raised to buy this equipment the usefulness of the laser had been recognised and the unit acquired this item via the NHS .
When a krypton laser became available the appeals funds where used to buy this making the eye unit one of the few hospitals outside the major ones to have such equipment. These lasers each had separate advantages thus enhancing the ability of the department to treat conditions which may have had to be treated in other hospitals this of course provided the patients with a much better service as they didn’t need to travel for their treatment.
The funds remit was modified to include for maintenance of the laser already bought and to enable equipment bother than lasers to be purchased. A working name was added in March 2003 (H.M.Stanley hospital ophthalmic equipment fund)which allowed this wider area of activity to take place. One such item being the cataract surgery simulator being one such example, this equipment allows Doctors to train and gain valuable experience of the technique and skills required for such intricate surgery.