Ophthalmology Negligence Claims & Eye Surgery Medical Negligence Solicitors.

The Medical Negligence Team is recognised in Tier One for the West Midlands in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500, which states ‘The ‘approachable and collaborative individuals’ at Lanyon Bowdler are praised for the ‘time given to the client to offer reassurance and explanations’. A testimonial reads: ‘Lanyon Bowdler are a top quality clinical negligence firm, and head and shoulders above other regional firms in this sector. The team is excellent, and works on cases of all values. Claims are thoroughly investigated, and run with confidence’.

Chambers UK 2024 rank the department in Band One in the Midlands and state ‘an impressive practice group with a growing presence across the West Midlands. The team offers specialist advice across the full gamut of clinical negligence mandates, with particular experience in cases of surgical error, delayed diagnosis and failure to supervise those at risk of suicide. The firm is additionally skilled in cases relating to post-surgical negligence, brain injury and fatal claims.’

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: This can include failing to correctly diagnose an eye condition, such as glaucoma or retinal detachment, which can then lead to progression of the disease and potential loss of vision.
• Surgical errors: This includes avoidable mistakes during eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, which result in complications such as infections, corneal damage, or vision loss.
• Improper treatment: This can include the prescription of incorrect medications, or failure to provide the necessary treatment for an eye condition.
• Failure to monitor: This includes failing to adequately monitor a patient’s condition, or failing to follow up appropriately after treatment or surgery, thus leading to complications.
• Lack of informed consent: This includes performing procedures or treatments without fully informing the patient of the risks, benefits, and alternatives, thereby failing to obtain their informed consent.
• Negligent post-operative care: This includes inadequate care or instructions following surgery, resulting in infections, improper healing, or other complications.

If you have experienced any kind of ophthalmologic negligence which has caused you to suffer undue harm, we can help you to seek the justice and compensation you are entitled to. Please don’t hesitate to contact our expert medical negligence solicitors to find out how we can help you.

An ophthalmologist treats a wide range of eye and vision conditions, including:

• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens, which leads to decreased vision.
• Glaucoma: A group of diseases that cause damage to the eye’s optic nerve, often associated with increased intraocular pressure.
• Macular degeneration: A condition affecting the central part of the retina, known as the macula, leading to vision loss in the central field of vision.
• Diabetic retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes, which can lead to vision impairment.
• Refractive errors: Including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia, which are usually corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
• Retinal detachment: A serious condition where the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue.
• Conjunctivitis: Inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, which is the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids.
• Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, which can be caused by injury, infection, or by wearing contact lenses for too long.
• Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which can lead to redness, pain, and vision problems.
• Amblyopia: A condition also known as ‘lazy eye’, where one eye has reduced vision because it and the brain are not working together properly.
• Strabismus: A condition also known as ‘crossed eyes’, where the eyes do not align properly.
• Dry eye syndrome: A condition where the eyes either do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly.
• Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids, often leading to redness, swelling, and itching.
• Eye infections and injuries: Including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, as well as trauma-related eye injuries.

In addition to treating these conditions, ophthalmologists also perform eye surgeries, manage chronic eye diseases, and provide preventive care to help patients to maintain overall eye health.

Ophthalmology negligence can have serious, and sometimes irreversible, consequences for a patient’s eye health and vision, including:

• Vision loss or blindness: Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or retinal detachment, can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness if not treated promptly.
• Worsening of eye conditions: Failure to provide adequate treatment for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or uveitis can result in the progression of the disease and can cause further complications.
• Incorrect prescription or surgery outcomes: Errors in prescribing glasses or contact lenses, or mistakes during surgeries like cataract surgery, can lead to suboptimal vision correction, visual disturbances, or additional surgical interventions.
• Infections: Inadequate sterilisation procedures, or the improper management of post-surgical care, can lead to severe eye infections, potentially causing lasting damage to the structure of the eye.
• Corneal damage: Negligence during procedures involving the cornea, for example corneal transplants or refractive surgeries, can result in scarring, perforation, or other corneal complications.
• Retinal damage: Mismanagement of retinal conditions or errors during retinal surgeries can lead to permanent damage to the retina, which can affect both central and peripheral vision.
• Glaucoma progression: Negligence in the monitoring of intraocular pressure, or the failure to recognise the symptoms of glaucoma can result in damage to the optic nerve damage and loss of vision.
• Medication errors: The prescription of incorrect medications or the failure to manage the side effects of medication can lead to adverse reactions, worsening of the eye condition, or systemic health issues.
• Quality of life: Patients affected by ophthalmology negligence may require additional treatments, surgeries, or long-term management of complications, which can significantly impact their short or long term quality of life.

Some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate ophthalmology negligence include:

• Unexpected worsening of vision after treatment or surgery.
• Development of new eye problems shortly after a procedure.
• Persistent and unexplained pain, redness, or discomfort during recovery.
• Post-operative infections, which can indicate improperly sterilised equipment.
• Incorrect or inappropriate prescription of glasses or contact lenses.
• Lack of improvement or deterioration in a condition that should have responded to treatment.

If you suspect that you are a victim of ophthalmology negligence, there are a number of steps you can take. These steps include speaking to another medical professional and gathering any documentation related to the care you have received, in order to determine the presence of negligence. If there is sufficient evidence to support your claim, a specialist medical negligence solicitor can help you to put together a strong case and seek compensation for your injuries, as well as justice for the way you have been treated.

In England and Wales, you are typically afforded three years to bring an ophthalmology negligence claim. This three-year time-limit, known as the limitation period, begins from either the date of the negligent act, or the date on which you became aware of the negligence. There are a number of exceptions to the three year limitation period – if the claimant was under 18 at the time of the negligence, the three year period does not begin until the date of their 18th birthday. The limitation also does not apply to patients who lack the mental capacity for making legal decisions, and the court has the discretion to allow a claim to be brought outside the normal limitation period if it deems it just and equitable to do so.