Ophthalmology Malpractice 

LASIK Surgery Error

LASIK Surgery Malpractice

Lack of Proper LASIK Surgery Screening

Laser in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is the most commonly performed type of laser eye surgery. LASIK involves the use of a laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye.

LASIK is generally performed to improve vision and reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses. While it has been highly marketed as eliminating the need for corrective lenses, in many cases the patient will still have to wear corrective lenses.

LASIK is a surgical procedure conducted on a delicate part of the eye, however, and therefore it is critical that the ophthalmologist properly educates the patient on risks of the procedure, as well as provide a thorough screening.

Anyone considering laser eye surgery, including LASIK (lasik) must have a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist that will help determine, in consultation with the patient, whether or not the LASIK procedure is right for them. Keep in mind that often LASIK does not eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses; instead, successful LASIK surgery generally reduces one's dependence on corrective lenses.

If proper screening guidelines are not followed, and LASIK surgery results in permanent vision loss of blindness, or other serious eye conditions, then a medical malpractice claim against the ophthalmologist may exist.

Similarly, while most LASIK procedures are automated through a computerized laser, if the correct information and measurements are not entered into the computer, then LASIK surgery error may occur.

LASIK Screening Guidelines

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has prepared pre-LASIK surgery screening guidelines for ophthalmologists. These guidelines were developed in the wake of unsuitable candidates undergoing LASIK surgery and suffering permanent vision loss and blindness.

Generally, the a LASIK surgery patient who has the following characteristics:

• Over 18 years of age and have had a stable glasses or contact lens prescription for at least two years.
• LASIK patient should have a cornea that is thick enough to allow the surgeon to safely create a clean corneal flap of appropriate depth.
• Are affected by one of the common types of vision problems or refractive error:
• • myopia (nearsightedness)
  • astigmatism (blurred vision caused by an irregular shaped cornea)
  • hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • combination thereof (e.g., myopia with astigmatism)
• Do not suffer from any disease, vision-related or otherwise, that may reduce the effectiveness of the surgery or the patient’s ability to heal properly and quickly.
• Adequate informed consent (patient informed about the benefits and risks of the procedure

Measurements taken by an ophthalmic assistant are double-checked by the eye surgeon, or ophthalmologist, for accuracy. An error in eye measurements performed by non-physicians is a leading cause of LASIK surgery errors and injury.

LASIK Candidates Who Are Marginal or Should Not Undergo LASIK

LASIK surgery can be an unsafe procedure, especially if the prospective patient has certain pre-existing conditions.

• Have a history of dry eyes.
• Are being treated with medications such as steroids or immunosuppressants, which can prevent healing, or are suffering from diseases that slow healing, such as autoimmune disorders
• Have scarring of the cornea.
• Are under age 18.
• Have unstable vision, which usually occurs in young people. Doctors recommend that, prior to undergoing LASIK, candidates’ vision has stabilized with a consistent glasses or contact lens prescription for at least two years.
• Are pregnant or nursing.
• Have a history of ocular herpes within one year prior to having the surgery. Once a year has passed from initial diagnosis of the disease, surgery can be considered.
• Have refractive errors too severe for treatment with current technology.
• Have diseases such as cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal diseases, corneal thinning disorders (keratoconus or pellucid marginal degeneration), or certain other pre-existing eye diseases that affect or threaten vision.
• Do not give informed consent.

If a patient has one or more of the preceding traits, and has undergone LASIK surgery resulting in serious eye injury, permanent vision loss, or blindness, then a LASIK malpractice claim may exist.  Contact us today.

Every Eye Surgeon Should Perform a Comprehensive Examination of the Eye Prior to LASIK Surgery. This Exam May Also Be Performed by an Optometrist.

Before anyone undergoes LASIK, a comprehensive eye exam, including measurements and vision screening, must be performed, whether by the ophthalmologist or an optometrist. As part of this eye exam, the following should be documented in the patient's chart:

• Determination of uncorrected vision and vision as corrected by glasses or contacts.
• Determination of the magnitude of visual error in each eye to establish the amount of surgical correction that is needed and develop the appropriate surgical strategy.
• Assessment of the surface of the cornea by “mapping” its topography (corneal curvature or shape).
• Measurement of pupil size in dim and room light. Pupil size is an important factor.
• Assessment of motility to measure the ability of the muscles to align the eyes.
• Examination of the eyelids to see if they turn inward (possibly scratching the cornea) or outward and redirect tear flow away from the eye, and other conditions.
• Examination of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane that covers the outer surface of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelids, to see whether there are irritations, redness, irregular blood vessels or other abnormalities.
• Examination of the cornea to determine if there are any abnormalities that could affect the outcome of surgery.
• Examination of the crystalline lens to determine if clouding of the lens (cataract) or other abnormalities are present.
• Measurement of corneal thickness (pachymetry).
• • How much LASIK correction can be achieved is based, in part, by corneal thickness.
• Measurement of intraocular pressure to detect glaucoma or pre-glaucomatous conditions.
• Glaucoma is a visual-al loss caused by damage to the optic nerve from excessively high pressures in the eye. It is a common cause of preventable vision loss.
• Assessment of the back (posterior segment) of the eye:
• • dilated fundus exam is used to assess the health of the inside back surface of the eye (retina), with the pupil fully open.
  • Examination of the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels screens for a number of eye and systemic disorders.
• Follow-up should include review of examination results by an ophthalmologist, discussion with the candidate, additional testing as necessary, and adoption of a plan for managing the candidate’s eye-care needs.

Failure to perform vigorous pre-LASIK screening, and thereafter the patient suffers from LASIK error or LASIK injury, may be grounds for a ophthalmology malpractice claim.

Medical Malpractice Attorney

If you have been the victim of LASIK injury, LASIK surgery error, or eye surgeon malpractice, and suffered serious eye injury, blindness, or permanent vision loss, then contact our office for an immediate, confidential, consultation.