Eyes are the most delicate and sensitive part of the human body. Many a time, chronic progressive damage of the optic nerve occurs in the eye which is called Glaucoma. It usually worsens by continued pressure inside the eye. The only treatment for glaucoma involves lowering the pressure in the eyes so that the damage of the optic nerve is minimized. In case of extreme damage to the optic nerve, glaucoma surgery becomes necessary.
The cases of surgical malpractices have gone up tremendously. This is one of the reasons why there has been a huge need for glaucoma or cataract surgery eye witness in eye surgery malpractice cases.
Risks Associated with Glaucoma Surgery
There are several risks associated with glaucoma surgery such as permanent loss of vision, bleeding in the eye, infection problems, hypotony or low eye pressure and cataract formation shortly soon.
- Vision Loss: Glaucoma surgery can temporarily disrupt or permanently reduce the vision. This can occur due to surgical error on the part of the surgeon.
- Bleeding: Amongst the rare complications of glaucoma surgery, bleeding inside the eye, infection, and pockets of fluid behind the retina due to low eye pressures are serious complications of glaucoma surgery.
- Infection: Infection inside the eye can occur if the sterile techniques are not maintained by the surgeon. This can be a very serious post-surgical problem and can threaten vision giving signs of redness, pain, or excessive tearing in the eye. Glaucoma surgery expert witness can play an integral role in cases of serious infections due to malpractice.
- Low Eye Pressure: Low eye pressure, known as hypotony, can occur due to fluid collection behind the retina which can cause a shadow in the side vision. This results from post-surgical complications on the part of the surgeon.
- Scarring: The glaucoma surgery can fail over time due to scarring tendencies of the eye resulting in a higher pressure in the eye. In such conditions, glaucoma surgery may be repeated.
- Cataractformation: Cataracts can develop after glaucoma surgery and the ophthalmologist has to do a cataract surgery soon after glaucoma surgery.
Need for expert witnesses in eye surgery malpractice lawsuits:
Although glaucoma surgery is beneficial for the patient as it can prevent further damage to the vision, in many cases, damage can occur due to operation negligence of the surgeon. This can cause permanent damage to the eye leading to blindness. In such a case, the patient can file a medical lawsuit against the surgeon due to delayed treatment or wrong treatment resulting in severe post-surgical complications. The attorney may call upon an expert witness who has the legal knowledge to undertake such cases. These witnesses know outside medicine, to guide the patient regarding the legal procedures. They provide case reviews and independent medical examinations. To provide testimony at trails, they also help in depositions and arbitrations. They guide on simple as well as complicated post-surgical glaucoma complications. The attorneys seek their guidance to build a strong case. They are residency-trained, board-certified and maybe members of prestigious ophthalmology associations. They offer advice, case reviews and testimony that stands necessary in a case of medical malpractice. Thus, an ophthalmologist expert witness with their knowledge and guidance help to provide relief to the patient in case of faulty eye surgeries.
