Eye Doctor Malpractice Attorney

Ophthalmology malpractice cases often stem from diagnostic errors, surgical mistakes, and medication-related issues. These cases highlight the severe consequences of medical negligence and the importance of holding doctors accountable.

Real Client Example: Operating Room Negligence Leading to Blindness

Another client of ours entered the hospital for a scheduled neck surgery. Due to the negligence of anesthesiology providers and their employers, chemicals were mishandled in the operating room. When our client awoke, she discovered that her eyes had been burned, resulting in permanent blindness. This horrifying and entirely preventable incident was a direct result of carelessness in the operating room. As a result, our client was awarded a jury verdict of $14,000,000.

Ophthalmology malpractice cases often stem from diagnostic errors, surgical mistakes, and medication-related issues. Below are the most common legal claims filed against eye doctors:

Prescription Medication Errors

Medications used for eye treatment must be carefully prescribed and monitored. When an eye doctor prescribes the wrong dosage or medication, it can lead to severe side effects, allergic reactions, or vision impairment. Patients who suffer harm due to prescription mistakes may have grounds for legal action.

Procedure Errors

Eye surgeries require high precision, and even a small error can have lifelong consequences. When a doctor fails to follow proper protocols or acts negligently, the results can be devastating. Below are some common procedure-related malpractice claims:

Real Client Example: Lasik Surgery Gone Wrong

One of our clients underwent Lasik surgery, trusting her doctor to improve her vision. Unfortunately, the doctor programmed the wrong numbers into the Lasik machine and removed too much tissue from her eye. After realizing the mistake, instead of informing her, the doctor performed a second, unnecessary surgery within days to cover it up. Had the doctor been honest and refrained from further surgery, her vision may have been repairable. However, the second procedure caused permanent vision impairment. As a result of the doctor’s negligence and lack of standard of care, our client received a jury verdict of $875,000.

Procedure Errors

Eye surgeries require high precision, and even a small error can have lifelong consequences. Common procedure-related malpractice claims include:

• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Errors in PRK surgery can result in scarring, overcorrection, or under-correction, leading to poor vision quality or chronic pain.
• Lasik: Improper LASIK procedures can cause dry eyes, halos, or worsened vision.
• Detached Retina Surgery: Failing to properly secure the retina can lead to recurring detachment and irreversible blindness.
• Cataract Surgery: Errors such as implanting the wrong lens or failing to remove cataracts properly can cause serious complications.

Failure to Diagnose, Treat, or Refer

Failure to Diagnose

Early detection is critical for preventing vision loss. When an eye doctor fails to diagnose a condition promptly, the patient’s vision may deteriorate. Commonly misdiagnosed conditions include:

• Glaucoma: Delayed diagnosis can lead to permanent optic nerve damage.
• Eye infections (endophthalmitis): Misdiagnosed infections can lead to severe inflammation and vision loss.
• Detached Retina: If left untreated, a detached retina can cause permanent blindness.

Failure to Treat

Once a condition is diagnosed, appropriate treatment must be provided. Some doctors delay or fail to recommend necessary treatments, putting the patient at risk of further harm. A failure to treat may lead to worsening symptoms and preventable vision impairment.

Failure to Refer

In some cases, an ophthalmologist must refer a patient to a specialist for advanced care. When they fail to do so, critical treatment may be delayed, resulting in severe vision loss. If your doctor failed to refer you for specialized care when needed, you may have a malpractice case.

Surgery Contraindicated

Some patients should not undergo certain eye procedures due to their medical history or existing conditions. If a doctor recommends surgery without considering contraindications, the patient may suffer severe complications. Surgeons must carefully evaluate whether a procedure is safe before moving forward.