The eye clinic at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds has been nominated for a national award after receiving outstanding praise from patients.

Thanos Vardarinos and the clinic’s macular service are in the running for “clinical service of the year” as part of the Macular Society’s Awards for Excellence. The nomination recognises their exceptionally good practice in the care of people with macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration affects the central vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK. More people are affected as the population ages.

Tony Rucinski, chief executive of the Macular Society, said: “There are some fantastic people working within the sector, so it’s great to be able to celebrate their hard work in this way.”

Clinical service of the year is one of four awards presented by the charity.

The Bury team’s nomination will now be handed over to the judges, who will name the overall winners at the society’s annual London conference on September 27.