The client was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes which was initially managed by his GP. Some years later he was referred to a specialist eye unit in hospital. Diabetes can cause eye problems known as diabetic retinopathy which leads to blindness if not monitored and treated in a timely manner. He was reviewed by the Ophthalmologist who confirmed no treatment was required.
A year later it was found that the left eye had some retinopathy, but treatment was not commenced. He was not reviewed until months later and tests indicated that he had sight-threatening retinopathy. Still, treatment was not started until a year later and his condition had deteriorated. He was advised he would require laser treatment to correct this and that an appointment letter would be sent out to him. There were problems with the appointment letters, and he did not receive anything until months later. At this point, further investigations were ordered, instead of starting the treatment which was by now extremely urgent.
There were considerable delays to his treatment, as a result of which he suffered a haemorrhage (bleed) in his left eye. He attended the clinic for urgent laser treatment but then suffered two clots in his left eye and was given injections into the right. He suffered a bleed in the right eye months later, and a further bleed to his left eye two months after that.
His vision was severely affected although further treatment was successful in restoring most of his vision. He pursued a loss of earnings claim because he had to have time off work and his case was settled out of court following negotiations.