Eye patients ‘are being blinded by NHS delays’

AT least 260 patients a year lose their sight due to lengthy treatment delays, a report has found.

Among them is a 34-year-old mum who can no longer see her three children’s faces or care for them properly because of NHS failures.

She was referred urgently to hospital by an optician who suspected glaucoma. But long waits and the failure of locum and trainee staff to emphasise the seriousness of her condition meant she lost nearly all her sight in the next 13 months.

The woman, who has not been named, is now confined to home while her husband looks after her.

The trust that treated her admitted it couldn’t offer timely appointments to 4,500 of its eye patients.

The case prompted a review by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch, which concluded nationwide sight services are unable to cope.

When it comes to glaucoma alone, 22 patients a month unnecessarily lose their sight.

The NHS said: “We’re streamlining referrals and assessment this year to speed up access to expert eye care.”