"Diabetic retinopathy"

I went to the Sydney Eye Hospital. I’ve got diabetic retinopathy. Forgot actual term but at some point I need to get it laser for it. I went for my first bit of laser back in December and had Dr Christine. She was lovely and very patient with me. Back then in December, I had my baby with me and was waiting 5-6 hours but it was fine because the doctor was lovely. I told her I had really bad anxiety and she was really patient with me and gave me breaks.

I needed to go in the start of the year but had to reschedule so I booked in for February. This time I went on my own because Mum was looking after my baby. I said to the doctor, informed them in beginning of the appointment that I had really bad anxiety again. The doctor said ok, but I felt they weren't paying attention. I did tell them too that between Dec and Feb, I went to see my optometrist as I was having a bit of trouble seeing. My optometrist (who back in May caught that I needed to get laser done) took photographs and I asked them if my eye looks better and they told me it did – this was before the laser.

On this recent appointment, I asked the Doctor if I could have a look at my scans. I was against the laser but they told me I really needed it. The doctor said we’re not really looking for that. I wanted to look at it so they said fine if you want to look at it, look at it. I told them it was because my optometrist told me my eye looked better. The doctor said I don’t really care what your optometrist said. I asked to look at them anyway. The doctor said to me my eye looked better. They were looking at the wrong eye – I had to correct them on that. The doctor goes your right eye needs a little bit less but it looks better. I said we are doing the left, you’re not touching the right eye. The doctor said you still need to get the left eye done.

I was hyperventilating a little bit. The doctor was like ‘what’s wrong’, I felt they said it rudely, and I said I’ve got anxiety.

The doctor said I’ve got 5 other patients I need to see and need to see them in 10 minutes. I said last time I was here until 6pm and the doctor wasn’t rushing me and was very patient with me. I always go to eye hospital and have for many years. They always see patients late. It sounded like the doctor wanted to get out of there straight away. I know they need to stay back longer if they are patient.

The doctor asked if we were going ahead. I asked how many shots we’ve done. They said it was 30 which is basically nothing. I was like, OK I’ll try again. I was hyperventilating and the doctor was getting frustrated with me while I was trying to regulate myself.

The doctor asked if I wanted to stop and if I wanted to go. I said yes because you’re being rude.

I had to get my partner to pick me up. The doctor said fine you need to get another appointment.

I spoke to Dr Christine and she said you still need the laser, you might not need as much but you still need to get it done. 

When I booked the appointment I had asked the nurse if this doctor was working because I’ve had an issue with them in the past. I recall they said no. I was called in and it was the same doctor.

I feel it was very rude what the doctor did, it was very intimidating. The doctor said it was really good to see me. They had to leave the room to get something so I went to reception and said I had an issue with the doctor and don’t feel comfortable. The staff member went to get the head nurse. They saw me and asked if I was coming in. I asked if the doctor would be more patient with me and the doctor said they didn’t have as many patients that day. I said I needed to talk to the nurse.

The nurse told the doctor I don’t want to see them. The doctor actually approached me and said so you don’t want to see me. The doctor said, if you book yourself into another clinic, you’re possibly going to see me again. Reception said my other doctor will be here on a different date and the doctor said all good you’ll have someone else. The doctor got annoyed with me for not wanting to see them so I was getting anxious again.

I actually did start crying because I was angry. It was the fact the doctor kept approaching me. You could tell I was uncomfortable and they still approached me again. I felt it was unprofessional to approach me.