A north-east man claims he has been left blind in one eye because NHS Grampian’s “mismanagement” delayed a check-up after laser surgery.
Jim Simpson, from Buckie, has lodged a complaint against the health board stating that the alleged blunder has robbed him of “any kind of normal life”.
Mr Simpson says his ordeal began more than two years ago, when an eye specialist unit was moved from Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
He received laser treatment in both eyes at Elgin in February 2015, and says he was told he would need to attend a check-up in May.
However, the 56-year-old claims the follow-up appointment did not take place until November amid confusion over the changeover.
Mr Simpson said: “My eyesight had deteriorated so badly that I needed more significant laser treatment this year.
“This laser treatment was not able to halt the problem and I suffered a detached retina in my left eye, which would have been picked up at the proposed three-month check-up.
“Unfortunately my right eye is a lazy eye, so the effect has rendered me almost blind.
“I slipped through the net, and I feel the time delay in getting the follow-up appointment had a material effect on my eyesight.
“I’m now unable to have any kind of normal life.”
Mr Simpson’s vision has been deteriorating for 20 years as a result of his diabetes, but it was in March when he woke up with no vision in his left eye.
Mr Simpson had further surgery in April and says the sight is now “slowly coming back”.
However, he says the problem has left him unable to continue in his job as an IT technician, read or drive.
And he fears his vision will never return to an extent where he can resume his career.
An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said a new ophthalmologist had since been appointed in Elgin.
She said: “Staffing issues had led to a temporary reduction there, and the relocation of clinics to Aberdeen.
“An additional ophthalmology consultant has been appointed and there will be weekly clinics at Dr Gray’s hospital from July.”
The NHS declined to go into detail on Mr Simpson’s case, on grounds of patient confidentiality.
