Medical Negligence In Laser Eye Surgery

Approximately, around fifteen thousand people, per year, opt for laser eye surgeries in the United Kingdom. While these procedures are chosen by a vast majority of individuals, the treatment is not advanced enough to be classified as entirely risk-free. In fact, if you decide to pursue this procedure, you can suffer from numerous injuries.

With that said, medical negligence claims can only be submitted if the harm from the surgery is caused as a result of the doctor’s, the institution’s, or the medical staff’s negligence. If you wish to learn more about medical negligence claims, involving laser eye surgery,  you can benefit from the ensuing tips.

The Risks Involved in Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery is a process that involves slicing a flap on the outer layer of the cornea, prior to making structural changes that result in an improved vision. These surgeries are carried out to improve myopia, hyperopia, as well as to treat astigmatism. One of the most popular types of laser eye surgery is called LASIK, however, there are a number of alternatives as well.

As the eyes are one of the most sensitive areas of the body, carrying out an operation comes with a significant number of risks. However, medical negligence is observed when the patient is not provided with the level of attention that is required to carry out the surgery. In such a scenario, a medical negligence claim can be made.

Despite the lack of attention from the surgeon, there are quite a few risks involved with laser eye surgery. These include:

• Dry eyes
• Double vision
• Undercorrections
• Overcorrections
• Astigmatism
• Flap problems
• Regression (vision changes to the original prescription)
• The gradual loss of vision

Laser Eye Surgery Negligence

In addition to the number of pre-existing risks, laser eye surgeries can become even more dangerous, if medical professionals employ a negligent approach. In this case, you can receive compensation for the loss of vision, or any other side-effect, which was caused by the direct result of medical negligence in Scotland. Negligence in laser eye surgery involves the ensuing:

Lack of consent

One of the most common factors, which enables you to make a medical negligence claim, is the lack of consent. Fundamentally, the surgeon is prohibited from performing any operations, without acquiring your permission, or the permission of a legal guardian (in case of minors). With that said, your surgeon must also educate you on all the potential risks and side-effects of laser eye surgery. Therefore, if your surgeon failed to provide you with a detailed idea of the risks involved, or if they failed to take your consent, you can submit a compensation claim.

Inadequate assessment

Laser eye surgery comes with a number of risks. Taking this into consideration, your surgeon is required to carry out in an-depth assessment to make sure that there are no additional risks that come with the surgery. The lack of proper assessments, prior to the operations, can give you the grounds for making a medical negligence claim.

Damage to the cornea or corneal flap

While there are many risks involved in the surgery, damage to the cornea or corneal flaps mainly occurs due to the negligence of the surgeon. If you, or someone you know, have suffered from this damage, you can submit a medical negligence claim.

Mistreatment or delayed diagnosis of infection

You can also make a claim if the damage is observed after the surgery. For instance, there are several occasions when the doctors fail to acknowledge the presence of an infection, which further damages your vision.

The Aftermath of Medical Negligence In Laser Eye Surgery

Medical negligence in laser eye surgeries can result in severe aftermaths. Therefore, if you, or someone you know, is the victim of this treatment, it is imperative to seek the assistance of an experienced solicitor. These experts can assist you in making a claim. The following impacts can result from medical negligence in laser eye surgery.

• A degree of blindness is one or both eyes.
• Blurry or impaired vision.
• Extreme sensitivity to light.
• Excessive tears or watering in eyes.
• Dry eyes.

What Can You Do?

If you are a victim of medical negligence, you can seek assistance from a medical negligence solicitor. These individuals can help you acquire compensation for the medical treatment, the loss of income, as well as other areas that are affected by the damage. To make your case strong, the following initiatives can be taken.

• Evaluate the risks involved in the procedure
• Collect evidence for negligence
• Find witnesses to support your claims
• Talk to a solicitor to seek representation

Why do you need a Medical Negligence Solicitor?

A medical negligence solicitor has the experience, which enables them to skilfully present your claims. These individuals can provide counter-arguments to ensure that your case is approved. Additionally, a professional solicitor can ensure that you receive the maximum amount of settlement, which you are due. If you are looking for a trained solicitor, contact the experts at Hamilton Douglas Legal.