A vital piece of equipment that will transform eye patients’ lives in the Malmesbury area has been fitted after a £19,000 donation.

The Humphrey Visual Field Analyser (HVFA) which replaces 13-year equipment, is being used at Malmesbury Primary Care Centre, after being bought with a grant from the Malmesbury League of Friends (MLOF).

The analyser, which was officially unveiled last week, measures the sensitivity of different parts of the retina to light. The equipment, which will be used for around ten patients a month, is essential for aiding diagnosis of glaucoma, a disorder resulting from optic nerve damage.

Ophthalmology consultant Richard Antcliff said: “We are truly grateful for this most generous donation, which will enable us to continue with this important treatment without which patients would have to travel to Bath or Swindon.”

Robin Clark, of MLOF, said: “This donation is a perfect example of what we were set up for over 40 years ago: to provide essential items for use by local patients which are not available under the NHS.”