"I consider I am very lucky to have met this publication. Some months ago, I entered a hospital to have a cataract removed and an implant inserted in my eye. 'Come in Monday have the operation, go to bed and you'll be home the next day,' they told me. Marvellous. The eye specialist removed the lens from my eye, tried to fit the implant but couldn't and tore the eye in the struggle. I understand he tried 12 times to place the implant. He was unable to go any further. Well, here I am, eleven weeks after the operation, waiting for the eye to heal, with no lens in the left eye, minimal sight now in both eyes and not due to be seen for 17 weeks since the operation when I am due to go to hospital. I have never seen the surgeon since that day. I am far worse than I was before the operation. Do you think that I should take any action regarding this? Suppose that I had been working! Your last article came just in time. The hospital are now trying to fit me up with a contact lens that lasts for ever. In view of your remarks, that's off." M.B., Solihull......

Dr Stanley Evans who has been a British ophthalmologist for nearly 50 years, spent 17 years in Africa, which has, in his words, an "appalling incidence of blindness". During his years there he researched the causes and prevention of blindness, including cataracts. In his view surgeons removing cataracts and replacing crystalline lenses with artificial ones are unduly optimistic about an operation that still has a high failure rate. He also believes that the use of contact lenses after surgery carries "risks of ulceration or intolerance."

In his self published book Prevention of Blindness in Great Britain, Dr Evans says that when the lens has been removed from only one eye, it is very difficult to balance vision in both eyes, through eye glasses, lenses implants or contact lenses.

In the view of Dr Evans, most eye disorders stem from nutritional deficiencies, which are often exacerbated as you get older. Vitamins A, B, C calcium, magnesium, potassium in particular are vital in maintaining eye health. He also finds that patients with cataracts often have protein deficiencies. He has seen many patients with cataracts improve on a high nutrient, high supplement diet.

We would recommend that you contact Dr Evans for any specifics about whether it is possible to improve the sight of the eye that hasn't been operated on and possibly suggest an nutritional plan. All other cataracts patients may like to ask about purchasing his book on Blindness in Britain or Prevention of Blindness in Nigeria and Other African States, which has many hard case studies about his extraordinary research. You may write or phone him at Sanctuary House, Oulton Road, Oulton, Suffolk NR32 4QZ Tel: 0502 583294)

As for suing your doctor, we urge you to contact Action for Victims of Medical Accidents (1 Bank Chambers, 1 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3TP).

They will refer you to a solicitor to determine whether you have a case against your doctor. It certainly sounds as though you do.