"eye tests in preparation of cataract surgery"

I have a serious problem of keratokonus.

In December 2017 my GP asked for a vist at the ophthalmology clinic at Charing Cross Hospital, about which I was very pleased due to my excellent experience at the oncology clinic.

In February 2018 I received a letter for an appointment in April 2018. In March a second letter posponed it to July 2018.Once more I had to reorganise familiar and personal engagements.

When I finally met the consultant I was highly satisfied by the accuracy and courtesy during the visit . The doctor assessed the necessity of a cataract surgery adding that more tests will be required.

Soon after I was asked to go to the hospital to be seen by my doctor team without any further indication.

On 17 August I was seen by a nurse who began a test without specifying what it was for..

I was invited to keep the first eye wide open and not to blink. It was impossible to keep that position for the seconds required while the eye began to be increasingly painful. After 3 attempts the nurse left her chair telling me abruptly she could not do the test because I was blinking and it was necessary to measure the lens accurately.

I finally came to know that it was a biometry test. She added I should return one week later as no one else was available the same day.

Thus has caused a real disruption of my family plans which we had to accept as the eye problem is getting worse and worse.

I left the hospital very sad, feeling a failure and worried about the next visit.

I returned on the 23rd and asked the same nurse whether it would be possible to keep the eyelid open with some equipment.She said they do not have it but she could recommend the Western Eye Hospital...

After waiting half an hour another nurse appeared ready for the biometry.

I explained my preoccupation about the blinking and was told that in fact her test would require me to blink!! She explained gently and cleary all what was going on and what will follow (pentacam).

Incredible enough I had been in a state of anxiety while the solution did exist!!.

After that successful biometry we met one of the doctors and the first nurse who simply stated that her test requires not blinking. But despite my difficulty I was not informed about the alternative more suitable to me.

That was astonishing, causing preoccupation and anxiety just because of the lack of an important information.

I must add that I had the unpleasant feeling of being treated like a patient who would not understand, at the mercy of other people's decisions, without any clarification or indication.

Despite the above am looking forward to the next appointment as sign of trust and appreciation for the efficiency and courtesy of all the other staff of the Ophthalmology clinic .