What I liked
(These boxes contain one comment including both positive and, especially, negative aspects).
Although my previous experience at Western Eye several
years ago was excellent, the most recent occasion ended
problematically. I was about to have a cataract removed. As I
am a life-long myope whose research and leisure moreover
entail frequent reading of fine print and the like, my
pre-assessments suggested that each IOL be corrected to near-
sightedness with spectacles for distance vision and driving.
On the day of the first scheduled operation, however, the
consultant declined to provide anything other than the more
common distance-vision IOL which would have required that I
wear spectacles for reading and other close work. I am not
complaining about the clinical judgment of the consultant. I do,
however, feel that two aspects of the outcome were less than
professional:
(a) It was not until immediately before the scheduled
operation, with the anaethetist already to hand, that the
consultant in effect changed my treatment plan, making it
clear he was not prepared to provide the near-sighted IOL
(earlier on the same day he had merely said that he would not
recommend it). Surely this matter should have been resolved on
an earlier occasion in order to avoid wasting NHS resources.
(b) With the operation about to take place, he told me
that I had only two choices and must decide immediately:
either to have the distance-vision IOL or not proceed at all
(implying, in effect, that I would have to live with my
cataracts permanently). It was only when I asked what would
happen if I chose the latter, that he said that I could simply
go back to my GP and be referred elsewhere for the cataract
removals. This explanation should surely have been offered
without my having had to ask.
Anything else?
My own subsequent eye treatment experience elsewhere
under the NHS has hence been excellent!
"(These boxes contain one comment..."
About: Western Eye Hospital Western Eye Hospital London NW1 5QH
Posted via nhs.uk
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