HSA doctor saves French sailor’s vision during COVID-19 lockdown

French sailor Dominique Chiron was unknowingly close to losing vision in her left eye until she visited HSA’s Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Ermanno Scerrati, whose quick response to diagnose and treat the problem saved her vision.

Mrs. Chiron, who lives with her husband, Jef, on a 37-foot sailboat arrived in George Town in early March after setting sail from Guadeloupe for Honduras. The couple had to remain in the Cayman Islands after the islands’ borders closed in response to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 26 May Mrs. Chiron begun to feel pain in her left eye and visited the Lions Eye Clinic where the couple met Dr. Scerrati. Mrs. Chiron complained of having double vision when she closed her right eye and explained that she was concerned having previously undergone retinal detachment surgery in the left eye while in Guadeloupe.

After an examination, Dr. Scerrati concluded that a complication had developed from the previous surgery and Mrs. Chiron was at serious risk of retinal detachment and permanently losing vision in her left eye as a result. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency in which a thin layer of tissue (the retina) at the back of the eye pulls away from the layer of blood vessels that provides it with oxygen and nutrients. He recommended surgery be performed urgently to prevent permanent vision loss.

“The care I received at the hospital was delivered with efficiency and kindness,” said Mrs. Chiron. “They were very considerate about the challenges we faced as visitors who had to remain on the island.

“The operation went well, and my recovery is going very well. I would like to sincerely thank the entire eye clinic team and Dr. Scerrati, as well as all the hospital staff for their effectiveness and friendliness,” she added.

“The HSA and Lions Eye Clinic Team are very pleased with the result of this case and that we could be of service to this family during the challenging period during COVID-19,” Dr. Scerrati said. “I monitor Mrs. Chiron progress closely when she visits the clinic for follow up care. She and her husband are preparing to continue their trip to their destination in Honduras and I plan to keep in touch to ensure her full recovery. We wish them safe travels.”