Noora Lewis, 63, a former Dragon's Den contestant who pitched an eyeliner product, has lost the sight in her left eye after doctors failed to diagnose giant cell arteritis (GCA), a condition that can cause irreversible blindness if not treated urgently.
Lewis, who appeared on BBC One's Dragon's Den in 2012 with her beauty product "flick tips", repeatedly reported symptoms including headaches, jaw ache, tender temples, and pain on the right side of her face. After appointments at Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre and City Hospital, she was told she had inflammation in her eye and was sent home with steroids.
Her vision began to deteriorate before the condition was finally confirmed almost four months after she first sought medical help. By then, it was too late to save the sight in her left eye.
NHS Trust Admits Breach of Duty
After losing her sight, Lewis, from Birmingham, hired medical negligence lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care. Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has now admitted a breach of duty, saying there were failures in treating suspected giant cell arteritis.
The trust also admitted that, with appropriate care, Lewis would likely have avoided complications, including the impact on her vision. Lawyer Jenna Harris said: "Noora has been through a life-changing experience and is still struggling to adapt.
"The impact on her independence, ability to work, and emotional wellbeing has been significant." Lewis's lawyers are now working to negotiate a financial settlement with the NHS.
Missed Warning Signs
Lewis first attended Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre in May 2021 after two GP appointments and was diagnosed with uveitis, an inflammation inside the eye. But her symptoms continued, and the next month her GP suspected giant cell arteritis and told her to go to hospital immediately, warning she could go blind without the right treatment.
At City Hospital, a doctor noted a lack of pulse in her right temporal artery, a key warning sign of the condition, but did not investigate further and discharged her after providing just a single day of steroid treatment. She returned to City Hospital on June 14, where two doctors saw her but did not carry out any investigations into giant cell arteritis despite her ongoing symptoms and previous concerns.
When Lewis experienced visual disturbances in her left eye on July 25, she was admitted to City Hospital and spent three days undergoing tests. Her diagnosis was finally confirmed on August 2, 2021.
Life-Changing Impact
Lewis, who has one grown-up child and four grandchildren, now struggles with everyday tasks and relies heavily on family and friends. She said: "When I was finally diagnosed with giant cell arteritis, I felt angry. Thinking back, I had all the symptoms and can't understand why I was left untreated for so long."
When she appeared on Dragon's Den in 2012, she failed to secure £50,000 of funding in exchange for 20 per cent of her Sensationelle business. Describing the devastating impact of losing her sight, Lewis added: "My life has completely changed since losing my vision.
"The simplest tasks are now the hardest and I struggle with day-to-day things I used to take for granted, like shopping and using my phone, as letters and numbers appear distorted and can be very confusing.
"At times I even feel like a danger to myself - I've left the gas hob on without realising and now only drive very short distances, often having to rely on a friend or my daughter."
The former self-employed make-up demonstrator said the condition had robbed her of her confidence and independence. She added: "I don't feel like myself anymore. I used to be the fun one. I loved going out with friends or having people over for dinner, but I lack confidence now and find I'm much more anxious, which is so unlike me.
"By sharing my story, I hope to raise awareness of giant cell arteritis, symptoms to look out for, and the reality of people like me living with the condition."
Dr Mark Anderson, group chief medical officer at the NHS trust, apologised to Lewis. In a statement, he said: "We have acknowledged that aspects of the care provided fell below the standard we expect and have accepted liability in relation to those failings.
"We recognise the distress caused and the devastating effect that the loss of sight has had on her and her family, and have apologised for this."
