Common eye surgery mistakes

For many people, eye surgery is nothing short of a miracle. It restores their vision, eliminates the need for glasses, and gives them their lives back. Like any type of surgery, though, eye surgery isn’t without risk. Different types of eye surgeries carry their own potential for injury, and each one has a failure rate.

Patients who suffer eye surgery mistakes often have actionable grounds to file a medical malpractice claim. If you have suffered an injury due to Ophthalmological malpractice, you may be eligible for a significant settlement. An Orlando medical malpractice attorney can evaluate the nature of your eye surgery mistake to determine if it reaches the threshold for filing a claim and represents you throughout the legal process.

Mistakes during eye surgery change your life

Ophthalmologic  mistakes can cause serious injury, leaving victims blind in one or both eyes, or with permanently limited vision along with other complications. You have the right to demand full compensation for your losses after an eye surgery mistake, including the cost of your initial surgery and any other medical treatment or surgery you require to correct the damage. You also may be able to see compensation for any reduced enjoyment of life and lost wages.

Let’s examine the most common mistakes in the most common types of eye surgeries.

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery replaces cloudy natural lenses with artificial lenses. It’s usually an outpatient procedure with a low instance of complications and can improve vision.

Infection is one of the primary risks of cataract surgery. It occurs when harmful bacteria or other pathogens get into the eye. It can happen during surgery if the instruments aren’t sterile or after, due to poor post-operative care.

Edema, or swelling, is another common side effect of cataract surgery. It occurs most often in patients who have had an excessively long surgery time. It’s usually temporary and just part of the healing process, but if it persists, it could indicate a problem.

Retinal detachment is the most serious complication of cataract surgery. People who have undergone previous eye surgeries may be more at risk of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye separating from the underlying supporting tissue. Urgent surgical intervention is necessary to prevent further injury.

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery uses a laser to correct nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness. Although LASIK is extremely popular and relatively safe, there are risks of complications.

Some common mistakes that happen during and after LASIK include:

• Under-correction, or failure to remove enough of the corneal tissue, which means the patient still needs glasses
• Overcorrection, or removing too much of the corneal tissue, which can cause halos at night or glare during the day
• Flap complications, including a decentered flap that affects the laser ablation area or perforations of the corneal flap

There may also be problems with the laser, like misalignment or incorrect settings that cause irregular tissue removal.

Photorefractive keratectomy

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) also uses a laser to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. Like LASIK, there is a chance of over- or under-correction and the chance of the patient developing light sensitivity or photophobia.

There is a higher chance of infection with PRK than LASIK, which can occur during or after the surgery. Some people report blurred vision or a persistent feeling of something stuck in their eye, both of which are caused by improperly calibrating or operating the laser.

Glaucoma surgery

Pressure building up damages the optic nerve, causing glaucoma. Glaucoma surgery repairs the optic nerve to alleviate the pressure and restore the patient’s vision. Some mistakes that can happen in surgery include:

• Incorrect placement of the conjunctival flap, which causes poor pressure control and drainage
• Excessive scarring because of too-rough handling of the eye tissues
• Tearing of the conjunctiva, which leads to drainage problems and fluid draining too quickly from the eye
• Improper placement of shunts that cause complications like poor pressure control or tube erosion

If the doctor fails to address pre-existing cataracts before glaucoma surgery, the chances of a surgical error or complications increase. This failure reduces the surgery’s benefits, including restoring the patient’s vision.

How do eye surgery mistakes happen?

The three prime causes of surgical errors and complications are:

• Surgical errors, or an improperly completed procedure
• Infection caused by non-sterile instruments, poor sanitation practices, or poorly performed aftercare
• Equipment failure, including the laser and other tools

All of these are easily preventable with the proper level of patient care. The surgeon, the facility where the operation occurred, and any healthcare professional who may have contributed to the unsanitary condition are liable parties for eye surgery mistakes.

Your legal rights after an eye surgery mistake

If you suffered preventable complications after eye surgery, or if the surgery wasn’t properly performed, then you’re a good candidate for a medical malpractice suit. Our attorneys can explain your rights in a free consultation. Contact DWK Law at (407) 244-3000 today.