Surgeons working to clear Shropshire eye op backlog

Eye surgeons in Telford are working to clear a backlog of 90 cataract patients after services were resumed at the Wrekin Community Clinic.

Cataract surgery was suspended throughout April after it was discovered that four patients had been fitted with the wrong lenses. No other services at the clinic, at Euston House, were affected, and cataract surgery continued as normal within the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

Extra clinics are now being put on at Euston House in order to clear the backlog, and staff are contacting all patients whose surgery was cancelled to make new appointments.

Cataract surgery at the Euston House was suspended in late March and resumed last Thursday.

Three of the cases were reported in February, and a fourth came to light during a review of the incidents.

At the time hospital bosses said in a statement: "All four patients received lenses that were of a slightly different power to that which was planned for their procedure.

"We deeply regret the errors in systems that caused this to happen and are taking a range of robust measures to ensure they are never repeated.

"One of the two patients who attended the review experienced a slight astigmatism caused by replacement of the lens, which can alter the shape of the eyeball.

"This is a possible side effect of lens replacement but unfortunately, it was not explained in advance.

"We have apologised to the patient concerned and are revising patient leaflets to ensure they make clear reference to this potential side effect."

Adrian Osborne, communications director at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said today: "Cataract surgery resumed at the Wrekin Community Clinic and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital last week.

"We are in the process of contacting all patients whose surgery was cancelled to rearrange their appointment.

In total there are about 90 patients waiting for a new appointment date.

"We will be putting on extra clinics to make sure people can come in for their procedure as quickly as possible," Mr Osborne said.

By Andrew Owen