A WOMAN went temporarily blind in one eye after being forced to wait over a year for cataracts surgery, despite being considered an urgent case.

Lisa Saunders, 51, from Rochford suffered daily headaches and nausea after waiting for the much-needed treatment on her right eye.

During the long wait, Lisa’s eyesight deteriorated so badly she couldn’t even see with glasses on if she closed her left eye.

Lisa said: “I had my left cataracts done four years ago but the one on the right wasn’t bad enough to be done at the time.

“Over time it deteriorated so I went to the opticians in January 2020 and they said they were going to refer me to Southend Hospital.

“I went back in the May and they referred me again to Southend Hospital to chase it up because it had got worse.

“At they hospital they said I was urgent and he would need me in as soon as possible for surgery... and then I didn’t hear anything.

“My eyesight was really deteriorating.”

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Lisa was later referred to the BMI clinic in Southend in March this year after receiving a letter to say that the hospital were not carrying out surgeries.

Lisa added: “The doctor there said that I was urgent and that he couldn’t guarantee what the outcome would be.

“I was really upset and scared. I’m only 51 and I’m thinking I’m going to be stuck like this.”

Despite the urgent need for treatment, there was still a six month waiting list at the BMI clinic, prompting Lisa to turn to private treatment. She had her operation booked within two weeks and her eyesight has returned.

She said: “I was thinking after another six months, what’s it going to be like. I was getting headaches every day and feeling sick.

“It was amazing. I could see straight away. I felt like crying because obviously they said they couldn’t guarantee the outcome.

“I haven’t even had to use my glasses. They said I now have perfect vision. It was a fantastic outcome.

“The staff were fantastic There’s some people that wouldn’t have the money, especially after the year we’ve had.”

A spokesperson for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We welcome Lisa to contact our PALS team to talk to us about her concerns; any patient whose condition has changed is encouraged to contact their GP or hospital team.”