First emergency eye surgery in Lincolnshire
United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustA stonemason has become the first person to receive sight-saving emergency retinal surgery in Lincolnshire’s hospitals.
Louis Graves, 21, from Lincoln, was chiselling stone when the top of his chisel shattered and a piece of steel measuring 2.5mm (about 0.1 inch) went into his eye.
Previously, patients would have to travel outside the county to hospitals in cities such as Nottingham, Leicester and Sheffield for specialist care.
However, NHS staff at Lincoln County Hospital can now offer care for complex and specialist emergency procedures after the appointment of consultant ophthalmologist and retinal surgeon Ahmed Javed.
Mr Graves said: "At first I thought something had just hit my safety goggles, but then I realised I could not open my eye properly and it was bleeding and watering.
"I could see but it was like being inside a marble with red streaks and clouds. I realised that I had metal or stone in my eye and I needed to go to hospital."
Mr Graves went to Lincoln’s emergency department, had surgery the next morning – less than 24 hours after his accident – and was able to return home on the day of his procedure.
He added: "The NHS has been brilliant. It was very quick and efficient. There was no waiting around. I am very grateful that I did not lose my sight."
Mr Javed joined the ophthalmology team at Lincoln in September and is working to establish the retinal surgery service.
"We were able to help Louis with the emergency care he needed within 24 hours of his incident and we will continue to see him in our clinics as he continues his recovery," he said.
"People with this kind of retinal injury are at risk of losing their sight and are more likely to have a better outcome when they receive care quickly.
"It's a huge milestone to be able to establish a service which has previously been available only at regional specialist centres, and to reduce travel for our patients."
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