Eyesight fears for Masterton man

These eyes are made for looking, but Masterton man Howard Smith is scared if the operation he's been waiting for since late last year is delayed too long, his eyesight will be badly damaged.
Mr Smith's problem are in his growing bottom eyelids.
He had surgery in December 2000, which temporarily fixed the problem, but was told by his doctor that it may recur.
He returned to his GP around 15 months ago, after his eyes started acting up again.
He was told by his doctor that he would eventually need surgery again, and to monitor the situation.
Just before last Christmas, Mr Smith returned to his doctor concerned his condition was getting worse.
His doctor said he would be referred to Masterton Hospital to see an opthalmologist, eye specialist.
At this time, it was stressed to both Mr Smith and the hospital that the operation was urgent, because the constant irritation to the eyeball could cause permanent damage, even total blindness.
"Apart from that awful thought, I find my eyes get to the point where they are so sore, I have to sit with them closed. They also water profusely."
For the past five months he has waited for a letter from the hospital to get an appointment with the specialist.
Just this week, frustrated with waiting to hear some news, he telephoned the hospital and was told his condition was considered "routine" and he would be told eventually when he had a time.
"I was furious and went straight to my GP who was not at all surprised."
Mr Smith said he was told that the hospital, when weighing up its priorities often put people into different categories than what GPs recommend.
His doctor has promised to see what he could do, said Mr Smith.
"The whole situation is scandalous, not just the lack of correspondence, but that the hospital can over-ride GPs. What is happening to our health system?"
Having reached the "golden age" to receive a pension, the former journalist and now freelance writer relies totally on his sight to supplement his government income spending many hours writing at his computer in his Masterton home.
Mr Smith is especially renowned for his classical musical knowledge and is working for several publications around the world.
There is no resident opthalmologist in Wairarapa, but there are four who visit Wairarapa Hospital providing five clinics and three operating sessions per month.
At present there are 31 people who have been waiting more than six months for eye surgery in Wairarapa.
The Ministry of Health has written to several district health boards, reminding them of their obligation to restrict specialist waiting lists.
This has not happened to Wairarapa yet.