Table 1 Severity of harm described in the incident reports (n = 836).

No harm

Patient outcome is not symptomatic, and no treatment is required.

Humphrey visual field test was not done although found to cause no harm to the patient.

142 (17)

Low harm

Patient outcome is symptomatic, symptoms are mild, loss of function or harm is minimal and intermediate but short term, and no or minimal intervention is required.

The appointment was delayed in a patient undergoing treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Slight progression of retinal pathologic signs were noted, but vision was unaffected.

202 (24)

Moderate harm

Patient outcome is symptomatic requiring intervention, an increased length of stay, or causing permanent or long-term harm or loss of function.

Appointment was delayed. Permanent loss of peripheral visual field, not affecting patient’s central vision.

227 (27)

Severe harm

Patient outcome is symptomatic, requiring life-saving intervention or major surgical/medical intervention, shortening life expectancy, or causing major permanent or long-term harm or loss of function.

Appointment was delayed. Vision dropped from 6/24 to count fingers (CF), had a hypotonous eye and required emergency surgery as a result.

262 (31)

Unclear

It is unclear from the free-text description what level of harm has occurred

Patient underwent treatment for corneal ulcer, and later died from a severe acute kidney infection

3 (<1)