When French sailor Dominique Chiron complained of pain in her left eye, she had no idea that her vision was in danger. Thanks to quick-thinking Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Ermanno Scerrati, her vision has been saved.
Dominique Chiron and her husband Jef were sailing from Guadeloupe to Honduras in their 37-foot sailboat when they stopped in the Cayman Islands in March. After the borders closed in response to the restrictions put into place to control the COVID-10 outbreak, the couple found themselves waiting out the pandemic in George Town.
On 26 May, Mrs. Chiron made an appointment at the Lions Eye Clinic to learn more about the pain she was experiencing in her left eye. She told Dr. Scerrati that she also had double vision when she closed her right eye. Mrs. Chiron explained to Dr. Scerrati that, prior to her arrival in the Cayman Islands in March, she had undergone retinal detachment eye surgery in Guadeloupe.
Dr. Scerrati quickly diagnosed that Mrs. Chiron’s retinal detachment surgery in Guadeloupe had resulted in a complication that could lead to permanent vision loss in her left eye if not treated immediately. He made an urgent recommendation that Mrs. Chiron have emergency surgery to remedy the complication. Supported by the efficient professionalism of Cayman Islands Hospital staff, the emergency surgery was successful and the vision in her left eye saved.
Retinal detachment, a medical emergency, can cause permanent vision loss when the retina, a layer of thin tissue located at the back of the eye, is separated from the blood vessels that nourish it. An inadequate blood supply to the retina means that the retina does not receive essential oxygen and nutrients, resulting in the permanent loss of vision.
Mrs. Chiron is expected to have a full recovery, and she and her husband plan to continue their travels to Honduras when the borders open. In the meantime, Dr. Scerrati is monitoring her progress, and he intends to stay in touch with Mrs. Chiron to ensure she has a full recovery from the procedure.
