Ophthalmic & Laser Eye Surgery Claims
Our specialist medical negligence solicitors are experts in dealing with all types of ophthalmic negligence cases. If you have suffered as a result of negligent ophthalmic treatment or care, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Some typical eye-related claims we handle are:
Last updated on January 18th, 2024 at 02:15 pm
Laser eye surgery
Vision correction surgery (also known as LASIK, LASEK and PRK) is an increasingly common method used to correct long and short sightedness. It involves the use of a laser to change the shape of the cornea, which is the transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil.The surgery can be highly effective in leading to reduced dependency on glasses. In most cases the surgery is carried out privately with the patient bearing the cost.
Unfortunately in some cases problems have occurred, ranging from dryness of the eyes and night vision problems to astigmatism and permanent eye damage.
Most of the problems can be avoided with careful pre-operative checks. Some patients may not be suitable candidates for laser eye surgery and thorough screening beforehand should identify these.
Problems can also occur due to incorrect operation of laser eye surgery equipment.
Read how medical negligence solicitor, Nikki Yavari, won £12,500 compensation for a woman who suffered negligent laser eye treatment.
Cataract surgery
Cataracts are a very common cause of impaired vision. It is often an age related degenerative disorder, although it does have other causes.
Cataract surgery can be an effective method of improving eyesight and involves the lens of the eye being broken down into tiny pieces that are removed through a small cut in the eye. The lens is then replaced with an artificial one.
Problems can occur due to faulty technique during the surgery and insertion of the wrong type of lens because of incorrect pre-operative assessment.
Retinal detachment
A detached retina is a serious condition that can lead to blindness if it is not diagnosed and treated very quickly. It affects about 1 in 10,000 people.
The retina is the innermost layer at the back of the eye that contains millions of tiny light receptors that convert the visual image formed by the eye’s optical system into electrical impulses. These are then relayed along the optic nerve to the brain.
In certain circumstances it is possible that the retina can become detached from its underlying layer, the choroid, which contains the many blood vessels that provide the retina with its nourishment. When this happens, vision in the affected region is lost. The retina may also become torn at the point of detachment. The situation can be exacerbated if fluids such as blood or vitreous fluid from the space in front of the retina penetrate beneath it.
Medical negligence cases involving retinal detachment tend to revolve around early detection and referral to specialists ophthalmologists. Early signs of retinal detachment are often picked up by opticians during routine eye tests and patients are then referred to their GP and then on to an ophthalmologist.
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Ophthalmologists and optometrists have the same duty of care towards you as medical practitioners, so if you have suffered as a result of late diagnosis, late referral or negligent treatment, contact us in confidence and one of specialist medical negligence solicitors will assess your claim.
What can I claim?
The value of your claim will depend on a number of factors including:
- The nature of the illness or injury
- Whether you recover fully from the illness or if it has a long term effect on your health and wellbeing
- The amount of any losses you incur as a result of the injury
You can claim compensation for the following things if they are a result of your injury:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Loss of earnings
- Medical and nursing care costs
- Special equipment needed to carry out daily activities and any costs involved in adapting your home
- Other expenses incurred as a result of your injury, for example, travel expenses incurred whilst receiving medical treatment
Contact us to speak to one of our specialist lawyers in total confidence and they will discuss the details of your claim.
