Ophthalmic & Laser Surgery Claims

At injury+ our specialist clinical negligence solicitors are experts in dealing with all types of ophthalmic and laser surgery claims. If you have suffered as a result of negligent ophthalmic treatment or care, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Typical claims we handle include laser eye surgery, cataract surgery, retinal detachment and glaucoma (including steroid induced glaucoma).

Laser Eye Surgery

We have found that vision correction surgery (ie. Lasik, Lasek and PRK) is becoming an increasingly common method to correct long and short sightedness. A laser is used to change the shape of the cornea which is the transparent part of the eye which covers the iris and the pupil. The surgery can be highly effective in leading to reduced dependency on glasses and in most cases the surgery is carried out privately with the patient bearing the cost. Unfortunately there have been some cases ranging from dryness of the eyes and night vision problems to astigmatism and permanent eye damage. Most problems can be avoided with careful pre-operative checks and screening candidates to find suitable candidates for laser eye surgery. Problems can also occur due to incorrect operation of laser eye surgery equipment.

Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are a very common cause of impaired vision and are often a degenerative disorder which is age related. Cataract surgery can be an effective method of improving the patient's eyesight and involves breaking the lens of the eye into tiny pieces which are removed through a small cut in the eye. The lens is then replaced with an artificial one. Problems can occur because of faulty technique during the surgery and insertion of the wrong type of lens due to incorrect pre-operative assessment.

Retinal Detachment

A detached retina affects about one in 10,000 people. It is a serious condition that can lead to blindness if it is not diagnosed and treated very quickly. 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.

Clinical negligence cases involving retinal detachment tend to revolve around early detection and referral to specialists ophthalmologists. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for the patient to have a chance of preserving their eyesight. 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.

You can claim compensation for 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; and other expenses incurred as a result of your injury, for example, travel expenses incurred whilst receiving medical treatment.