Health Canterbury delays leave patient permanently blind in one eye

Monday 17 November 2025 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Mon 17 Nov 2025, 4:09pm

A man has lost sight in his right eye due to significant delays in receiving treatment for age-related macular degeneration. After being transferred to a Health New Zealand eye clinic in Canterbury, the patient waited over a year for necessary injections. The Health and Disability Commissioner has found that staff had been warned about these risks since 2016.

How they headlined it

2pm4:09pm

1. NZ HeraldMon 17 Nov 2025, 2:00pm

   HDC finds Health Canterbury delays left eye patient permanently blind (opens in new tab)

2. The PressMon 17 Nov 2025, 2:00pm

   Patient left partially blind after Health NZ leaves him waiting over a year for appointment (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesMon 17 Nov 2025, 4:09pm

   Man loses sight in one eye due to 'significant delays' in treatment (opens in new tab)