Optometrist denies failure to refer girl

An optometrist admitted to a series of allegations against him relating to failures to carry out tests on a young patient with sight-threatening problems.

The admissions came when he appeared at disciplinary proceedings in London on Tuesday (October 8). However, Stuart Andrew Maxwell, of Ashton under Lyne, denied other allegations including claims that he failed to refer the patient, a little girl whom he had seen for a number of years. She was later found to have amblyopia.

A GOC disciplinary panel was told that the girl was eventually treated at the Sunderland Eye Infirmary but her age by then had reduced the chances of a successful outcome.

Chris Alder, for the Council, told the hearing that there had been a 'lack of record-keeping' and a question over whether tests were performed on the patient's sight, who was first seen by Maxwell at the Spectacle Warehouse, Hartlepool in February 1999 when she was four years old.

Maxwell later sold the premises, and during protracted sale negotiations, another optometrist worked there. After seeing the unnamed girl, he referred her to her GP which led to diagnosis of her condition.

'Mr Maxwell provided optical care to her for three and a half years and examined her on five occasions,' said Alder.

Tony Saunders, who carried out the later test which led to the girl's referral, had informed the GP that by that time, in March 2003, her age might result in treatment not being successful.

Saunders had worked for another firm which took over Maxwell's outlet, but negotiations had taken longer than expected with the result that Saunders had worked for four days a week in Spectacle Warehouse prior to completion.

The panel was told that during this period he saw the girl and found there was a 'loss of vision in her right eye'. After the sale of the premises, Maxwell had continued to work at the practice. The hearing continues.