"Cataract surgery"

I was referred for cataract surgery in January 2024.  I had previous successful cataract surgery on my left eye at Spa Medica in Exeter.  This referral was for my right eye and I opted for the North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, considerably closer to my home.

After a long wait, my surgery was carried out in January 2025.  I understand that the surgeon in charge delegated the procedure to a trainee. The capsule which should have received the new lens was torn and the procedure could not be completed.  I was sent home, effectively blind in my right eye.  This has disastrous implications for my work.  I cannot drive and I cannot judge distances properly.  The last problem has already resulted in an injury to my right hand and makes moving over rough ground and though bushes and trees etc. difficult and dangerous.

The surgeon who was in charge of my failed procedure, saw me recently.  They decided that the surgery required to cope with the damage caused in the January operation was beyond their capability and referred me to a surgeon at Exeter Hospital. They told me that they would expedite my case and that I would be seen by this surgeon within three weeks.

Four weeks later, I have not heard from the new surgeon.

When I managed to get through to the eye surgery booking department in Exeter I was told that I might expect to be dealt with in July.  This would be 18 months from my original referral and six months after the operation which blinded me.

So much for the three weeks referral.  so much for expediting my case.

I am appalled. I have been disabled by the Barnstaple Eye surgery unit and left unable to work safely: and I still wait to be given a date for a remedy.