A woman became blind in one eye after doctors failed to diagnose a serious eye condition for months.
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It Started With a Headache
As reported by PEOPLE, Noora Lewis was experiencing headaches, jaw aches, tender temples, and pain on the right side of her face. The 63-year-old from Birmingham, England, went to a general practitioner at Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre about her symptoms.
During her visit in May 2021, Lewis was prescribed steroids to treat what was believed to be uveitis, a form of eye inflammation. But her symptoms worsened, and she returned to the doctor a month later. The general practitioner believed Lewis might have giant cell arteritis. She was sent to the hospital for treatment.
According to Mayo Clinic, giant cell arteritis is the inflammation and swelling of the arterial lining, usually in the head. The condition can cause blindness if left untreated.
At the hospital, the doctor mentioned there was no pulse in her right temporal artery, a sign of giant cell arteritis. Lewis was prescribed a steroid treatment and discharged. No additional tests were taken.
Lewis Became Blind in One Eye
The former makeup artist continued to experience symptoms. She returned to the hospital on June 14. There, she was seen by two doctors, but neither checked to see if she might have giant cell arteritis.
Eleven days later, Lewis began experiencing vision problems in her left eye. That's when hospital doctors finally gave her a thorough evaluation. She was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis in August.
"When I was finally diagnosed with giant cell arteritis, I felt angry," said Lewis. "Thinking back, I had all the symptoms and can't understand why I was left untreated for so long."
But the diagnosis came too late. Lewis now has irreversible blindness in her left eye.
"My life has completely changed since losing my vision," she said. "The simplest tasks are now the hardest, and I struggle with day-to-day things I used to take for granted, like shopping and using my phone, as letters and numbers appear distorted and can be very confusing."
She adds that she feels "like a danger" to herself.
"I've left the gas hob on without realizing and now only drive very short distances, often having to rely on a friend or my daughter," she said.
Lewis and the NHS are working to settle the matter financially.
"We have acknowledged that aspects of the care provided fell below the standard we expect and have accepted liability in relation to those failings," said Dr. Mark Anderson, group chief medical officer at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. "We recognize the distress caused and the devastating effect that the loss of sight has had on her and her family, and have apologized for this."
