Noora Lewis, once a contestant on BBC One’s Dragon’s Den and a cosmetics entrepreneur from Birmingham, has suffered permanent loss of vision in her left eye after her symptoms of giant cell arteritis (GCA) were not promptly diagnosed or properly investigated by medical professionals.
Giant cell arteritis is a serious inflammation of the blood vessels that can lead to irreversible blindness if not treated urgently. The 63-year-old mother and grandmother experienced classic symptoms including headaches, jaw pain, sensitivity in her temples, and discomfort on the right side of her face.
Despite consulting at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre and City Hospital multiple times, the condition went unrecognised, delaying appropriate treatment. Initial assessments misdiagnosed her with uveitis, and although concerns about GCA were raised by her GP, a critical follow-up hospital examination failed to conduct necessary tests despite noting an absent pulse in her right temporal artery-a key indicator of GCA.
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It took nearly four months from her first medical consultation before a definitive diagnosis was reached, by which time her vision had severely deteriorated. Noora was hospitalised after experiencing visual problems in her left eye and underwent further examinations confirming giant cell arteritis.
Noora’s everyday life has been profoundly affected; tasks such as reading, cooking, shopping, and travelling have become challenging, and she now relies heavily on the support of her daughter and friends. Her ability to work, previously as a self-employed makeup demonstrator and promoter featured on Dragon’s Den in 2012, has been curtailed.
Expressing her frustration, Noora said: “When I was finally diagnosed, I felt angry. I had all the symptoms, yet was left untreated for so long. My life has completely changed since losing my vision. Simple tasks are hard, and I struggle with daily activities I once took for granted. It’s affected my confidence and mental health enormously.”
Legal representatives from Irwin Mitchell, acting on Noora’s behalf, secured an admission of breach of duty from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which acknowledged failures in the management and investigation of her suspected giant cell arteritis. The Trust accepted that these shortcomings likely contributed to Noora’s irreversible visual impairment and expressed regret for the distress caused.
Dr Mark Anderson, group chief medical officer at the NHS Trust, issued a formal apology, stating that an internal inquiry had identified missed opportunities in Noora’s care and led to improvements in clinical procedures to prevent future occurrences.
Jenna Harris, Noora’s solicitor, highlighted the broader significance of this case: “Noora’s experience underscores the critical need for prompt recognition and treatment of giant cell arteritis to prevent avoidable harm. We are committed to supporting her in accessing specialist care to help her adjust and regain confidence.”
Noora hopes that by sharing her story, more people will become aware of giant cell arteritis, its symptoms, and the urgent medical attention it demands to avoid devastating consequences such as those she has endured.