A LIGHT SHONE ON
PATIENT STORIES
LESLEY-ANNE BAXTER, CHAIR, BRITISH & IRISH ORTHOPTIC SOCIETY, HIGHLIGHTS HOW
PATIENT STORIES CAN RAISE THE PROFILE OF SMALLER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS LIKE
ORTHOPTISTS WHO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT VISION DISORDERS.
WHY DO YOU BELIEVE PATIENT STORIES ARE
WORTH COLLECTING?
As the writer and commentator on the NHS, Philip Pullman once
said: “True stories are...nutritious and sustaining. They feed the
mind with information and the heart with hope and strength.”
An inspiring story can help commissioners of health and social
care understand the contribution that clinicians make to people’s
lives and the positive impact in allowing patients to lead more
independent lives.
WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD RECENTLY FROM ORTHOPTISTS
THAT DEMONSTRATES THE IMPACT OF A
SMALL PROFESSION?
A 5 year old boy had started wearing the glasses recommended
in an orthoptic clinic he was referred to as a result of an
orthoptic-led school eye test.
The orthoptist asked his mother whether her son could see better
with his glasses and she replied: “The first day he wore them he
commented on the cross on top of the church. We had walked
past it a thousand times but he had never seen this before. He
was forever tripping over things, was always covered in bruises
and was quite unsteady on his feet. Last year he came off his
bike as he didn’t see the railings and the kerb. He suffered from
concussion. He won’t have as many accidents now he can
see properly.”
In this one case, we see how initial vision screening, an accurate
diagnosis and the right treatment can improve someone’s life
and prevent demand on other parts of the NHS and social
care system, like Accident and Emergency departments and
additional school support.
ANY OTHER INSPIRING STORIES, PARTICULARLY
ABOUT ORTHOPTISTS HELPING TO GIVE PEOPLE THEIR
INDEPENDENCE BACK AFTER STROKE?
We received another letter: “I felt compelled to write to thank
you for the outstanding work that you do at the Orthoptic Clinic.
I was diagnosed with double vision, had prisms fitted to my
glasses which allowed single vision for 80% of the day. This has
made such a considerable difference to my life. I can walk short
distances without a stick and cross roads with confidence. I can
read text clearly and feel more confident when going out – which
is a considerable difference as my vision had left me
virtually housebound.
Losing my vision has been most debilitating. We take our sight
for granted and walking, crossing roads, dog walking, or going
to the shop. Double vision had made simple household tasks
impossible and pouring a kettle of boiling water had resulted in a
scalded right hand. Crowded, busy areas became danger zones,
with too many hazards and I stayed indoors, where I was safe. I
fell over so many times because I haven’t been able to see. My
glasses create single vision and have allowed me to rebuild my
life. My only regret is that I didn’t know you existed otherwise I
would’ve contacted you earlier, rather than suffering in silence.
Thank you for giving me back my life.”
A great example of a stroke patient getting back to her usual life
after orthoptic intervention.
www.orthoptics.org.uk