Oculentis and Topcon UK are clearly attempting to limit damage to their reputation in suggesting there are only four MPlus X complaints to the MHRA.
Let me set the record straight!
The Observer story was generated from MHRA filings, and Oculentis are aware of this as they were contacted by the press for comment.
Yet they state: "
The main basis for the allegation appear to be the comments of Sheraz Daya. Although the articles read as if he is an independent expert, Mr Daya is a direct competitor of Optical Express and is a consultant to direct competitors of Oculentis.”
(see 6 Jan post)
A cheap shot from Oculentis as the main basis for the allegation were complaints from doctors at Moorfields and Optical Express.
While there may be only four formal complaints by surgeons re the MPlus X lens, I am aware of many more reported by patients.
Details of complaints filed with the MHRA by Moorfields surgeon Romesh Angunawela were leaked to me in September ’14, when I was also told that Optical Express were using the MPlus X lens, apparently implanting more than 7,000 since January ’14.
I will never publish anything without proof, and it was only when Optical Express surgeon George Settas confirmed this to me in November ’14 that I called Dr Angunawela.
He did not return my calls so I emailed Moorfields Medical Director, Declan Flanagan. No response.
When George Settas assured me that he was willing to help in any way he could I spoke with Observer journalist Daniel Boffey, and a producer at BBC 5 Live Investigates.
I offered both the story, on condition they ran it at the same time. They agreed, but the BBC senior editor wanted to wait until mid January.
On 16 December, just as I was leaving the BBC studios after pre recording an interview for ‘You & Yours” (see previous post) Daniel Boffey called and said he wanted to publish the MPlus X story on 4 January ’15.
A bird in the hand...
And that’s how it happened. Nothing to do with Sheraz Daya.
For clarity: since 2013 I have been contacted by alarmingly increasing numbers of patients complaining of similar problems with the MPlus MF30 lens.
On 9 January I advised everyone suffering problems/side effects with MPlus MF30 lens to file a Yellow Card asap:
www.opticalexpressruinedmylife.co.uk/ind...ns-exchange-rle.html
I told the MHRA about this and we are discussing tomorrow.
I invite Oculentis to meet with me asap to discuss the thousands of patients I estimate to be suffering problems with Mplus lenses - X and MF30!
Meanwhile, I have nothing but respect for George Settas, the brave doctor who has spoken out in the best interests of patients, without concern for his own interests.
I hope he has set an example others will follow, because I have plenty more shocks in store - concerning laser eye surgery as well as RLE.
I can name a number of surgeons who are in possession of sensitive and shocking info, keeping silent for various reasons.
Come on boys, time to talk, because it might be your name on OERML soon