PENSIONERS nearly blinded in a medical blunder will have to wait several more weeks to hear the results of an independent inquiry into the mistake.

The panel of experts, set up to see how 19 elderly NHS patients were wrongly injected with eye drops before cataract surgery at the BUPA Gatwick Park Hospital, has been delayed because more information is needed about regulations controlling use of the solution.

Findings were originally expected to be released in the middle of summer. One 80-year-old woman, who feared she might never see again after the Sussex eye ops bungle, said patients were anxious to know how experienced professionals made such an error.

Injected

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I'm disappointed by the delay because a long time has gone by. We need to know what is going on. I think my eyesight is clearing but very, very slowly."

Dr Graham Bickler, director of public health with East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority, which commissioned the inquiry, said despite delay the team was close to finishing its report.

He explained: "It is seeking further expert advice relating to the regulations which cover the use of methylcellulose.

"This is a matter which the team and the health authority agree needs to be properly addressed in the final report, but it will unfortunately delay publication by a few weeks."

In March the Argus revealed how the patients, all from the Brighton area, were incorrectly injected with the wrong form of methylcellulose. The fluid was marked with a warning that it should only be used externally.

Patients reported suffering near blindness, inflammation, corneal damage, swelling and clouded vision.

Brighton Health Care NHS Trust, which runs the Sussex Eye Hospital, contracted out the surgery to try to slash waiting lists.

A trust spokesman said: "We are very keen to hear the results of the inquiry and we are sure patients involved want to be able to put this behind them and they can't do that until the results are out."

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