Patients Suffering Vision Loss After Ophthalmology Treatment at George Eliot Hospital

Fletchers Solicitors is currently investigating possible legal action for those who have experienced significant harm, including permanent sight loss, due to poor ophthalmology care at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust. If you or a loved one were treated for glaucoma at the trust and have suffered as a result, we may be able to help you pursue a claim for compensation.

A Growing Pattern of Negligence in Glaucoma Care

In recent years, George Eliot Hospital Trust has admitted that multiple glaucoma patients have suffered harm following inadequate treatment. In 2023 and 2024, concerns were raised about the care delivered by a locum consultant, whose failure to follow national guidelines led to serious consequences for patients. These failures included:

• Delayed treatment
• Poor communication with patients
• Incorrect or missing medications
• Lack of appropriate referrals

Now, new concerns have emerged in 2025 – this time involving an optometrist within the service. Again, the trust has acknowledged that treatment guidelines were not followed, triggering further investigations and a review by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, which is set to take place shortly.

This is no longer about isolated mistakes. There appears to be a systemic failure in the delivery and oversight of glaucoma care at the Trust, with governance, staffing, and communication issues affecting patient safety.

The Impact on Glaucoma Patients

Glaucoma is a common but serious eye condition, particularly in adults over 50. If caught early, it can often be managed with eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery. However, delays or failures in treatment can result in irreversible damage to the optic nerve- and in the worst cases, permanent blindness.

Our clients in similar situations have told us how their lives have been profoundly affected. Many were discharged without appropriate follow-up, left with high eye pressure that was never treated, or failed to receive the urgent referrals they needed. In several cases, the damage was not picked up until it was too late.

Fletchers’ Experience Supporting Patients

At Fletchers, our Group Action team has already supported numerous individuals affected by poor ophthalmology care and can do the same for patients of the George Eliot Hospital Trust. We are currently representing clients who have suffered avoidable vision loss and are actively investigating further claims from other patients treated by the ophthalmology service at several trusts.

“We have helped countless patients who have been treated incorrectly, had delayed treatment and not had processes followed,” says Andrew Hesketh, Head of the Group Actions team at Fletchers Solicitors.

“It can have a huge impact if it is not resolved – and in some cases, it will sadly be too late, as the damage has already been done. People have a right to healthcare they can trust but in some cases this can fall well short which seems to be the case at George Eliot Hospital and they are suffering the consequences”

Why This Matters

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has now stepped in to assess the quality and safety of the ophthalmology service at George Eliot Hospital. Their review is a vital step, but for patients who have already suffered harm, the damage cannot be undone and a legal claim may be the only route to justice and accountability.

If you have been affected, you are not alone. There may be grounds for a legal action to seek answers and financial compensation for the harm caused.

How We Can Help

Fletchers Solicitors is one of the UK’s leading firms for medical negligence claims. Our team has extensive experience in ophthalmology-related cases and understands the devastating impact that sight loss can have on every part of your life.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation and can often act on a No Win No Fee basis. If we believe you have a claim, we’ll guide you through every step with compassion, clarity, and a commitment to securing the best possible outcome.