Ophthalmic operations have been cancelled because of missing consumables, the Malta Association of Ophthalmologists said in a statement Friday.

The Association said it has reliable information from its members working in Mater Dei Hospital, that since May of this year, on a regular basis, patients have had their cataract operation cancelled because of lack of consumables required for surgery.

Most commonly this was due to a lack of the appropriate intraocular lens power (the lens insertion being that vital step for restoring the vision to patients) or lack of operating packs needed to carry out the surgery safely.

The Malta Association of Ophthalmologists strongly demanded that a long-term solution and not an ad hoc short term solution, is found by the Hospital Authorities, and they must resolve any procurement problems, so our members at the Department of Ophthalmology can continue to offer the sterling service to the patients as they have always given along the years.