A MAN lost sight in an eye after an operation to remove cataracts.

It happened after surgeons failed to warn him of danger signals following surgery.

Now bosses at St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals (NHS) Trust have apologised and promised to tighten up the system.

A report by the Health Service Ombudsman investigated a complaint by the man, who has not been named but is believed to be from St Helens.

He had two operations, one in October and the other in December, both 1996.

The first went well but a complication arose during the second when a surgeon removed a cateract on his left eye.

However, the man was not told about the problem or advised to look out for particular signs and symptoms which may have indicated a developing problem. As a result, he did not realise that the zig-zag lines he experienced were signs of a detached retina and waited 10 days before reporting the problem to the hospital.

A consultant then diagnosed a partially detached retina but the man had to wait 19 days before he could have another operation and by this time, his retina was totally detached and he lost the sight in his left eye. The Ombudsman found that "although the consultant had performed the operation with the appropriate skill, he had failed to warn the man about the risks of surgery, particularly that he should seek immediate medical attention if he experienced certain signs and symptoms. This, combined with the delay in receiving surgery, contributed to the man's loss of sight."

A spokesman for St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals (NHS) Trust, said: "The Trust apologises unreservedly for this very unfortunate and regrettable incident.

"Measures have now been put in place to improve information provided to patients. The Trust is also working closely with the Health Authority to look into the feasibility of providing a local service that will negate the need to refer patients to other specialist units. Again, we very much regret this problem occurred and extend our sympathies to the patient.