A man has been left blind in one eye after a Specsavers store in Kidderminster faxed a referral for emergency eye surgery to the wrong hospital. 

The man, referred to as 'David', was in his late 50s, had reasonable eyesight and only wore his varifocal glasses for reading and watching TV. 

In March 2019, David suddenly noticed dots and flashes of light across his vision in his right eye so he attended his local Specsavers branch on Carpet Trades Way in Kidderminster for an urgent appointment on Saturday, March 28. 

The optometrist examined David and correctly diagnosed him with sight-threatening retinal detachment and he was advised that he would be referred to the hospital for surgery. 

After attempting without success to reach the ophthalmology department at Kidderminster Hospital by telephone, the optometrist then chose to send a referral letter to them by fax requesting same-day treatment. 

The department at Kidderminster Hospital did not offer emergency treatment on a weekend and was closed until Monday. 

By Monday, April 1, David woke up blind in his right eye. 

After calls to NHS 111 and his GP, he was later seen that day by an ophthalmologist at Kidderminster Hospital but by that stage, David's macula was found to have become detached and the damage was permanent. 

He underwent surgery to reattach the retina but he has never regained useful vision in the right eye and it is now limited to shadows and outlines of shapes. 

After instructing Leigh Day solicitor Rebecca Ridgeon and following an investigation, Specsavers admitted that the referral was sent to the wrong hospital and David should have been told to attend the emergency department at Birmingham Eye Hospital.  

He would then have undergone urgent surgery and retained normal vision in both eyes. 

He has now received a six-figure settlement from Specsavers. 

David said: "Whilst no amount of compensation will ever make up the fact that I am now blind in my right eye, I am really pleased with the result of my claim against Specsavers and I am glad that I contacted Leigh Day and asked them to look into what happened to me. 

"I have the utmost respect for Leigh Day and for the professionalism shown by Rebecca in dealing with my case." 

Rebecca Ridgeon added: "The care provided to David on March 28, 2019, in referring him for urgent surgery at a hospital department which would not open for another 48 hours, was clearly substandard and I am pleased that Specsavers accepted that this delay had a significant impact on David's vision, making him effectively blind in one eye. 

"It was a pleasure to represent David and to obtain a settlement which recognises the enormous impact that the negligence had on his quality of life." 

David now struggles to drive in the dark and has had to change his job. 

He also struggles with any task requiring 3D vision and depth perception including repairing watches which used to be his hobby. 

He has also suffered from symptoms of anxiety and depression with the settlement helping to compensate for his injuries as well as additional care he needs from his wife and the loss of earnings from his change in employment. 

In response to the case, a spokesperson for Specsavers said: "We are sorry to hear about the problems David is still experiencing with his eyesight.

"Since this incident, the Kidderminster store directors have reviewed their procedures.

"They have issued new guidance for colleagues about hospital referrals to try and make sure that something like this does not happen again. We wish David all the best for the future."