Retiree’s botched eye surgery claims
MAN SAYS TWO PROCEDURES LEFT HIM WITH WORSE SIGHT
A RETIREE claims two procedures at Townsville University Hospital that he hoped would improve his eyesight made it significantly worse.
Malcolm Morris, 70, had his first eye operation on December 2, 2020 after a specialist diagnosed him with cataracts in both eyes.
But after the surgery Mr Morris claims he went from having poor eyesight to having no peripheral vision.
“I couldn’t see out the side of my eye. I had about 5 per cent vision. I said this can’t be right, you’ve done something wrong,” he said.
Mr Morris added: “The doctor who was there told me ‘that could never happen’. All through 2021, I argued with them. I told them it needs to be fixed and they told me everything is all right.”
In an internal document seen by the Townsville Bulletin dated September 20, 2021, an ophthalmology principal house officer (PHO) said they were “unsure of reason for poor vision” in Mr Morris’ left eye, and that further consultancy would be needed.
In a previous internal document dated September 7, however, the details of a call made by Mr Morris on that date state he had insisted a “wrong lens in left (eye)” was the cause.
Mr Morris had his second surgery at the end of 2021, for his other eye.
“The next day after that one, I told them, there’s something wrong with this one too, it was like looking through a smoke field. It’s like being in the bathroom and looking in the mirror when it’s got full fog on it,” he said.
“I told them about it and nothing was done. They took another half a dozen shots with lasers and said that was what was wrong with it.”
TUH Chief Executive Kieran Keyes said that multiple senior ophthalmology and surgical staff had reviewed Mr Morris’ concerns, and future surgery was unlikely to improve his eyesight.
Mr Morris said his optometrist had concluded he had no peripheral vision.
“He did another test and told me the lens has been put in a millimetre out. He said ‘that doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’re looking through a millimetre out into the world, it’s a big deal’.”
Mr Morris was referred to a hospital in Brisbane to have his case reviewed, however Covid related delays have prevented him from attending.
“I can’t even look out the window of my house. I can’t see past the fence. I can’t see anything,” he said.
“It’s affecting my mental health. I have some really dark thoughts some nights. My wife has to do everything for me, I can’t take her out for dinner because I can’t even move a chair.
“This eye is slowly starting to go again and I’m desperate.”
Mr Morris said his social life was now non-existent, and even routine actions cause him immense stress and pain.
“I can’t play cards. I can’t read a newspaper. I can’t read a laptop screen. I look at life through a magnifying glass. That little spot at the bottom of the glass is what I read through to see my phone and that gives me a headache.
“I worked for 20 years for Telstra, four years for NBN. I don’t believe anyone can be treated the way I’ve been getting treated. I could join the workforce tomorrow if my eyes were fixed. I’m frustrated. I’m angry. I feel suicidal.
“I just sit here in my little kingdom and wait and wait for someone to make up their mind to actually fix what they broke.”
Mr Keyes said Mr Morris had attended regular appointments at his hospital and undergone multiple procedures since 2020.
“Sadly, I understand these procedures have not improved Mr Morris’s vision,”
Mr Keyes said.
“Unfortunately, due to the significant underlying health conditions affecting Mr Morris’ eyesight surgery is unlikely to improve his vision.
“I acknowledge the conditions affecting Mr Morris are causing distress to him and his family. I apologise if at any stage our health service’s communication has not been clear or easy to understand.
“We will continue to support Mr Morris to access the care and support he requires. I would encourage him to continue raising any questions he may have with our staff and his nurse navigator.”