Coventry hospital

[Bess21]

Anyone been to Coventry see Mr Bansal?

[Rainyday2024]

Hello Bess21,

Just seen your message! Although I have never had an appointment with Mr Bansal, I will be interested to see if you get any feedback. I live in Rugby and used to go to the Glaucoma Clinic at St Cross - usually saw Mr Otri, who was a lovely man. Then he seemed to only be available at Walsgrave, as I still call it. I haven’t been to UHCW (Walsgrave!) for ages, but I believe Mr Otri has left and is now working abroad. Almost a year ago, I had an eye operation done privately in Birmingham and since then have been visiting the consultant for check-ups, etc. Obviously this is very costly, plus there is the hassle of travelling to and from Birmingham, so I would therefore like to go back to being seen on the NHS if possible. As I said previously, I will be very interested to read any replies you may receive. Regards, G

[Bess21 in reply to Rainyday2024]

He is really nice and I am considering transferring to coventry nhs.

[Sodalover]

yes I saw Mr Bansal, after 4 cancelled NHS appointments I paid for a private consultation at the Meridian with him. He was very kind and after looking at my test results he was not convinced of my glaucoma diagnosis. He then emailed the NHS clinic to recommend an urgent MRI and referral to a Neuro ophthalmologist, he told me that if I hadn’t heard anything in a week to call his secretary who would chase my appointment, no need as I had an appointment for the MRI the following week

I’m still waiting for the neuro appointment so will be ringing Mr Bansal to ask for a recommendation and will book privately.

I feel very let down by the NHS, I list most of the sight in my right eye overnight last March, initial appointment took 4 weeks was with a local clinic who said they couldn’t help and did urgent referral to the hospital, that took another 2 weeks with me chasing. I saw a doctor who told me what I was saying was impossible, gave me no advice other than here’s a prescription, you use these drops until you’re 99 or dead.

I wish I had seen Mr Bansal at my first appointment, if you have an appointment with him I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Good luck

[Bess21 in reply to Sodalover]

Paying see him privately want 2nd opinion. Je works nhs coventry but not sure how long to get on list but will ask him.

[Sodalover in reply to Bess21]

The problem with being on his NHS list is you rarely get to see him in person, you’re seen by an ophthalmologist whose notes are checked by Mr Bansal, and they have a real issue at the eye clinic with cancelling appointments, sometimes at very short notice, that’s why I paid to see him privately. It now looks like I’ll be doing the same to see a neurologist as there seems to be a long waiting list for appointments.

[Bess21 in reply to Sodalover]

I went private see neurologist it's 12 months wait nhs same has ent

[Littlesnowflake]

Yes, I've seen Mr Bansal. I first saw him following disillusionment with my local hospital. After several years of what I considered good treatment, it seemed to change, so I went to see Mr Bansal privately at The Meriden for a 2nd opinion.

He agreed with me. Was very approachable, thorough, and talked through a recommended treatment plan, the state of my eyes etc.

I paid for a laser procedure to get it done quickly. He also transferred me to NHS at UHCW and I had my 1st NHS appointment there last September when I saw him again.

To answer your specific query, the transfer was done quickly but I had to obtain my notes from my current hospital.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Thankyou very much.

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Saw him yesterday he is really nice so I might transfer to nhs coventry. What laser did you have and how are your eyes now

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

When you saw him on nhs did you get has much time has private consultation? I went to my nhs hospital last week met consultant first time (one doing surgery) but was rushed and ot happy

[Littlesnowflake in reply to Bess21]

On my 1st NHS appointment, after the initial tests, I was seen by the Registrar. However, he called Mr Bansal in for specifics and I did feel that I had sufficient time to discuss my on-going treatment and queries. I was put on the list for a SLT on my other eye which was done on the NHS last Tuesday. It was Dr Malek rather than Dr Bansal but she was brilliant and 'went the extra mile' as she chased my droopy eyelids appointment and even phoned me at home 2 days later. All under the NHS!

Hope this helps.

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Who is dr malek

[Littlesnowflake in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Dr Malek is the one who did my SLT procedure last Tuesday on the NHS. I hadn't met her before

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Is she new

[Littlesnowflake in reply to Bess21]

Sorry, no idea.

[Littlesnowflake]

I had an SLT procedure - Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. It had been refused at my previous hospital. I now have an appointment to have it done on my other (right) eye on 25th February under the NHS at UHCW. My eyes will no longer tolerate any drops containing preservative and I am on the maximum preservative- free drops. I also take a low dose Acetazolomide tablet to reduce my eye pressure.

So Mr Bansal wants me to have a Trabeculectomy in each eye. Unfortunately the shape of my eyes due to extreme myopia plus my hooded eyes will make the operation difficult.

Now, my eyes are comfortable and my sight is very good apart from my lost peripheral vision.

I hope this is useful to you.

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Did you have narrow angles or open

[Rainyday2024 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Hello Littlesnowflake, I was interested to read your post regarding a possible Trab procedure and the fact you are very myopic, etc. I have always been extremely shortsighted all my life, it was great when I had my cataracts done about 15 years ago, as it meant no more thick bottle glasses and much better distance vision - however, I digress! I was unable to have Trab surgery so my consultant, Mr Masood, suggested a Paul Tube implant as a safer option. Might it be worth asking Mr Bansal if this could be an option for you?

[Littlesnowflake in reply to Rainyday2024]

Hello Rainyday2024. Many thanks for thinking of me and your suggestion. It is certainly worth investigating. I hadn't heard of that procedure. When I had my SLT on Tuesday, doctor Malek was very concerned that I hadn't had an appointment for my droopy eyelids yet. She chased it there and then and I now have an appointment for next Tuesday!

That is the 1st thing for working towards a Trabeculectomy. I'm desperate to get off the Acetazolomide tablets!

Thanks again.

Yvonne

[Rainyday2024 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Hello, Me again! Thanks for your prompt reply. There are several types of “aqueous shunts” available - you may have heard of these two - Baerveldt and the Ahmed shunt. The one I had was the Paul Tube, named after its inventor, Prof Paul Chew, from Singapore!! It’s not widely written about as it’s relatively new, but my consultant/surgeon said it’d be the best option for my eye, especially with all its various problems, including very “heavy” eyelids! He said any form of Trab would be too risky in my case, so I put my trust in him. Have you got to have an operation to fix your droopy eyelids then? I’ve always had heavy eyelids (ha! Come to bed eyes!) but I believe the use of various eye drops, over the years can have an effect, plus “age” of course! My next appointment for a check-up is in March plus the dreaded field test, so I hope every will be ok. It will be almost a year since my Paul implant. Regards, Gill

[Littlesnowflake in reply to Rainyday2024]

Many thanks for getting back to me. I will be investigating myself and also asking about alternatives when I see the consultant. I was diagnosed with glaucoma 10 years ago and have been told that the continuous use of drops (specifically lumigan / bimatoprost), has caused my grey circles, sunken eyes and droopy eyelids. I have an appointment next Tuesday as my glaucoma consultant wants advice as to whether I should have an eyelid lift, or my eyelids be held out of the way somehow while he carries out the trabeculectomy! He did say that carrying out the trabeculectomy would be very difficult but didn't mention any alternatives. Can I ask why a trab was considered too risky for you please.

Do you just have one problem eye? Unfortunately I am affected in both eyes, though I have lost more peripheral vision in one.

Good luck with your next appointment in March and thank you for your support. Regards Yvonne

[Rainyday2024 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Hello, I hope all goes well at your appointment on Tuesday. I have glaucoma in both eyes, but the right eye must have had the most loss of vision, that is why he suggested the tube implant. He told me I would lose all vision within a year or so if nothing was done, therefore I had the operation. Without finding all my letters and notes, I can’t tell you exactly why I was not suitable for a Trab. I know my eyes are shaped like a rugger ball, rather than a football!! There are several other problems as well, unfortunately. All the best for tomorrow - kind regards, Gill

[Littlesnowflake in reply to Rainyday2024]

Many thanks for your good wishes Gill - regards Yvonne

[Bess21 in reply to Rainyday2024]

Does Mr Masood do nhs I read that he practices at Birmingham hospital

[Rainyday2024 in reply to Bess21]

Have sent you a message via the chat.

[Littlesnowflake]

Primary open-angle glaucoma

[Bess21]

Okay thankyou