Hospital says sorry after woman's sight loss
BBCA former contestant on BBC series Dragon's Den said she lost part of her sight after doctors failed to investigate her symptoms.
Noora Lewis' vision is impaired in her left eye after she developed giant cell arteritis, a rare condition which can cause permanent sight loss if not treated urgently, and about which she is now raising awareness.
Birmingham Midland Eye Centre at City Hospital failed to diagnose the condition and did not give her a biopsy or the full steroid treatment needed. Seven weeks later she lost 50% of vision in her eye.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has admitted liability adding that it was sorry for the failings in her care.
Lewis, from Handsworth in Birmingham, appeared on the TV series in 2012 to promote her eyeliner product.
In 2021, she developed the eye condition which is caused by inflammation of the arteries in the head and can quickly lead to blindness.
Her doctor advised her to go to hospital immediately, but the eye centre did not pick up the condition. Lewis is suing the trust for compensation with the help of solicitors.
"It can cause permanent blindness within 48 hours if you don't get immediate treatment," she said.
"[The doctor] was adamant… 'This is very serious... It's a medical emergency.'"
"I just couldn't believe that this is a medical emergency, and the hospital were pre‑warned by my doctor… and I had all the symptoms. It's just unbelievable… I'm very angry and upset."
She said she had had to adapt her life since.
"You're suddenly thrown into a world that, you know, going outside with traffic and going shopping, not being able to see labels… everything that was simple."
"Everything's very slow… very time‑consuming.
"I have to check and recheck and double‑check… everything just is a lot more complicated.
"Numbers and letters can get mixed up… so it's been quite costly for me… I've also been scammed for like £100,000 because I wasn't able to see the messages properly on my phone."
She said she feared something happening to her right eye and can "wake up in sweats" worrying about it and has lost confidence and withdrawn from friends.
"Things like decorating and cooking and all the things I used to enjoy are just a lot more difficult, so it's easier to get support and help from family and friends."
Katie Sheahan, from solicitors Irwin Mitchell, said they welcomed the admission by the trust.
"They've also accepted that had she had that prompt treatment, she would not have had the loss of vision in that eye."
Dr Mark Anderson, group chief medical officer at the NHS trust, apologised for the failings and said an investigation identified missed opportunities leading to improvements in clinical processes since.
"We have acknowledged that aspects of the care provided fell below the standard we expect and have accepted liability in relation to those failings.
"We recognise the distress caused and the devastating effect that the loss of sight has had on her and her family, and have apologised for this."
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