A man was left blind in one eye after Specsavers failed to refer him for emergency surgery that could have saved his sight, according to legal reports.
He has now received a six-figure payout for the blunder after the Hight Street chain admitted his guilt.
Before disaster struck, the man in his late 50s, identified only as David, only had to wear glasses to read and watch TV.
But at the end of March 2019, when he saw dots and flashes of light in his vision and made an emergency appointment at Specsavers on Saturday, March 28, 2019.
The optometrist examined him and determined that there was a retinal detachment the layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye becomes loose.
David was told he needed emergency surgery but had to wait until Monday when the damage to his eye was permanent and he was left blind.
David, whose name has been changed, went blind in his right eye as he waited for days for an emergency operation (file image)
Specsavers admitted that David should have been advised to go to the emergency department at Birmingham Eye Hospital on March 28, 2019 (file image)
The optometrist attempted to contact Kidderminster Hospital’s ophthalmology department by telephone to request same-day surgery, it emerged.
When this failed, they decided to send the urgent referral by fax – and David was told to wait at home for a call from the hospital.
However, Kidderminster Hospital’s ophthalmology department did not offer emergency treatment on a weekend.
Unaware of the blunder, David waited as instructed, but received no call.
On the morning of Monday, April 1, David woke up blind in his right eye. After calls to NHS 111 and his GP, he was seen by a surgeon at Kidderminster Hospital later that day.
But at that point, the damage to his eyesight was permanent.
He subsequently underwent surgery to reattach the retina, but never regained vision in the right eye.
Instead, he can only see shadows and outlines of shapes.
David instructed Leigh Day’s lawyer, Rebecca Ridgeon, and after investigating his claim, Specsavers admitted that David should have been advised to attend the emergency department at Birmingham Eye Hospital on March 28, 2019.
If he had undergone emergency surgery that day to reattach his retina before the macula detached, he might have retained normal vision in both eyes.
But due to his vision loss, David now has to adapt to everyday life, relying on just one eye.
He still has difficulty driving, or in the dark, which requires him to change lanes.
David also has difficulty with any task that requires 3D vision and depth perception – including repairing watches, which used to be a hobby of his – and with everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
His eye injury has also caused him to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression.
His six-figure settlement includes compensation for his injuries, as well as for the extra care he needs from his wife and for his loss of income due to the job change.
“Although no amount of compensation will ever make up for the fact that I am now blind in my right eye, I am very pleased with the outcome of my claim against Specsavers,” said David.
Lawyer Rebecca Ridgeon said: ‘The care provided to David – by referring him for urgent surgery on a hospital ward that would not open for another 48 hours – was clearly substandard.
‘I am pleased that Specsavers ultimately accepted that this delay had a significant impact on David’s vision, effectively leaving him blind in one eye.’
A spokesperson for Specsavers said: ‘We are sorry to hear about the problems David continues to experience with his eyesight.
“Since this incident, Kidderminster store managers have reviewed their procedures.
‘They have issued new guidance for colleagues on hospital referrals to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.
‘We wish David all the best for the future.’