Failed Eye Surgeries Can Result In Serious Personal Injury

A person who has cataracts experiences sight as if they were looking through a frosty or fogged-up window.  This results from a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye and causes the loss of vision over time.  A person’s vision will not be disturbed at first since cataracts develop slowly in most cases.  However, eventually the person’s vision will be diminished.  At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help with the effects of cataracts.  However, impaired vision will eventually begin to interfere with a person’s usual activities, and he or she may then require cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common medical procedures performed in the United States.  More than two million of these surgeries are performed each year.  This surgery involves the removal of the lens of the patient’s eye and replacing it with an artificial lens.  Most people who undergo this surgery experience improved vision.

However, as is the case with all medical procedures, cataract surgery carries with it some risks thought the chances are very low.  Some of the risks of cataract surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Inflammation of the eye
• Glaucoma
• Hemorrhage
• Loss of vision
• A portion of the cataract remains inside the eye
• Retinal detachment
• Secondary cataract
• Swelling

However, not in every instance where these complications occur was it the result of medical malpractice.  If a patient was injured as a result of medical malpractice he or she may be entitled to compensation.  Examples of medical malpractice include:

• Improperly screening patients to determine whether the surgery is necessary
• Providing procedures when they are not medical advisable
• Scratching the cornea during the procedure
• Failing to refer the patient to a corneal specialist if there has been damage to the cornea
• Failing to administer antibiotic eye drops
• Failure to diagnose and treat an eye infection
• Undertaking a cataract surgery when not fully trained or adequately prepared

In order to repair any complications that may have occurred, the patient may require further treatment or surgery.

If you or a loved one has suffered deteriorated vision or other complications as the result of medical negligence during a cataract surgery, contact and experienced Kingston, New York medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.