Woman temporarily partially blinded after surgery

A woman from Cornwall says she has been unable to see out of one eye for nine months after what should have been a routine hospital procedure.

Louise Birch from Torpoint underwent a scheduled procedure at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital Eye Unit last October.

She said that, during that procedure, the surgeon also noticed a cataract in her left eye which was removed immediately, but it was not replaced with an artificial lens because of a lack of one available at the time, and she had been waiting since.

The NHS said staff were sorry the patient was unhappy with the care and they had "met with this patient to discuss their concerns and an appointment has been made".

Ms Birch was having work carried out as part of a detached retina repair when the when the cataract was found and the decision made to remove it.

She said: "They didn’t have a replacement lens to put in, so he [the surgeon] left it, thinking he was going to order another lens which I would go back for.

"But I’m still waiting for that said lens to be put in nine months later."

Ms Birch said she had tried to contact the hospital several times over the last few months but had received no reply.

She added: "To do anything is a major task; walking, moving around inside, it's all limited to how much I can see ahead of me."

Roy Barnett, Louise Birch's father, said the situation was having a psychological effect on her

Her father Roy Barnett said the experience had been traumatic for his daughter.

He said: “The nature of work means that she has to be able to see clearly.

"Her employers are very understanding but she could have easily lost her job.

"So it's put her in a very difficult situation, apart from the psychological effect its having on her."

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said that, although it was unable to comment on individual cases, it was "sorry that this patient was unhappy with the care and subsequent wait they have experienced".

It said: "It is important to understand that eye-related surgeries can be delicate and complex procedures and each case is different.

"We have met with this patient to discuss their concerns and an appointment has been made.

"Patients and their families who have concerns about patient care should contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), who will be able to provide them with advice and information regarding our services."