Waiting times for eye surgery could be slashed as the region's first specialist eye hospital opens its doors in Bradford.

Although the Yorkshire Eye Hospital in Harrogate Road, Apperley Bridge, is an independent venture, privately funded by a team of 20 eye consultants from across the region, it also has the capacity to treat hundreds of patients facing typical year-long waits for cataract surgery on the NHS.

Speaking on the opening day, Bruce Noble, a consultant eye surgeon in Leeds, and chairman of the new hospital, said: "This is a very exciting day in the development of eye surgery provision in this country and especially in Yorkshire and the north of England. These modern, dedicated facilities will provide a first class service to NHS and private patients alike and could make a positive contribution to reducing waiting lists."

But he said the hospital would have to prove its "credibility" before it was likely to gain work from the NHS.

The first private patients are now being seen for out-patient consultations and when the two operating theatres and day care facilities open at the end of the month, the £2.5 million hospital will have the capacity to carry out at least 5,000 operations a year.

The hospital will offer new treatments not currently available on the NHS to treat conditions that lead to blindness in the elderly, and treatments for short sight.

Other conditions which can be treated at the hospital include corneal and external eye disease, glaucoma, retinal diseases, squints, double vision and lazy eyes and children's eye problems.

Patients will be treated on a day care basis and be looked after by a team of specialist eye nurses. "The service and facilities we offer will be patient led and provide a regional centre of excellence," said Mr Noble.

"Many people are watching this development with great interest and it seems likely that the Yorkshire Eye Hospital will become a model for other schemes."

Sheila Hodgson is pictured having her eyes tested.