FOUR months on and the new eyelaser at the Alexandra Hospital is paying huge dividends for eye patients.

The Carl Ziess Combi Argon/YAG laser was installed in April following a massive fund-raising campaign by the hospital's League of Friends in conjunction with the Redditch Advertiser.

Patients in the Redditch area suffering from diabetes-induced retinal problems used to have to travel to Princess of Wales Hospital, in Bromsgrove.

The campaign to raise £70,000 finally came to an end earlier this year, to the joy of Alexandra and Bromsgrove eye consultant Mr Bichitra Das, who runs surgeries in both hospitals.

Mr Das reported that since the laser's installation, waiting lists for diabetes patients have fallen from three months to just five or six weeks.

With the laser, Mr Das can also perform post-operative treatment on cataract patients.

Mr Das said: "The laser really has helped my patients.

"Redditch people can now come to the Alex by public transport instead of travelling to Bromsgrove and since most of them are elderly, it has helped them a great deal.

"My job hasn't changed too much as I'm still holding surgeries at both hospitals but the benefits for patients really are helping."

Patients come from as far afield as Alcester, Droitwich and Rubery for treatment, so to have eye lasers at Bromsgrove and Redditch makes a big difference.

And waiting lists may fall even more as there may be a possibility of another full-time eye consultant being posted at the hospitals.

Also on Mr Das's shopping list is a digital camera which can take pictures of the retina, something which will be funded by proceeds left over from the appeal.