What Is Ophthalmologic Malpractice?

Ophthalmologic malpractice refers to the negligence or failure by an eye care professional to provide appropriate care or treatment, leading to harm or injury to the patient.

Understanding Ophthalmologic Malpractice

Eye care professionals—such as an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or optician— are medical doctors specializing in eye care, performing surgeries, diagnosing diseases, and prescribing treatments. Due to the delicate nature of eye health, errors or negligence in ophthalmology can have devastating consequences, including permanent vision loss or blindness.

Common Types of Ophthalmologic Malpractice

Several scenarios in ophthalmologic care can lead to malpractice claims. Here are some of the most common:

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

Conditions like glaucoma, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration require timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent further damage. If an ophthalmologist fails to recognize or diagnose these conditions in time, patients may experience irreversible vision loss.

Surgical Errors

Eye surgeries are delicate procedures that require precision and expertise. A misstep, such as damaging the optic nerve or incorrect placement of lenses, can result in significant harm to the patient. Errors during surgeries, such as cataract surgery, LASIK, or retinal procedures, can lead to complications like infection, permanent vision impairment, or even blindness.

Improper Prescription of Eyeglasses or Contacts

Prescribing the wrong eyeglass or contact lens prescription can strain a patient’s vision, leading to headaches, eye strain, or worsening eyesight. Though often considered a minor issue, a significant error in prescription can severely affect a patient’s vision and quality of life.

Failure to Treat or Refer

Sometimes, ophthalmologists fail to refer a patient to a specialist or take necessary action when confronted with a complicated condition. This failure can result in missed opportunities to address treatable conditions, further damaging the patient’s vision.

Informed Consent Issues

Before undergoing any procedure, patients must be fully informed about the risks and benefits. If an eyecare professional fails to obtain informed consent or explain the possible side effects of a procedure or treatment, the patient may pursue a malpractice claim if complications arise.

How to Prove Ophthalmologic Malpractice

For a medical malpractice claim to be valid, several elements must be demonstrated:

Duty of Care

The healthcare provider owed you a duty of care as a patient, which should be simple to establish with medical records.   

Breach of Duty

The provider must have failed to meet the standard of care expected in their field, by either taking improper action or failing to act when necessary. For example, misdiagnosing a severe eye condition that worsens due to a lack of treatment. This standard is defined as the level of care a reasonably competent ophthalmologist would have provided under similar circumstances.   

Causation

It must be demonstrated that the ophthalmologist’s negligence directly caused your injury or worsening condition. Without a clear link between the action (or inaction) and the harm, it may not be considered malpractice.  

Damages

You must have suffered actual damages as a result of the malpractice. For instance, additional medical bills, loss of vision, pain and suffering, or loss of quality of life.

Contact A White Plains Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

The consequences of ophthalmologic malpractice can be severe. Our White Plains Medical Malpractice Lawyer can help you pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit and ensure the eyecare professional responsible for your harm is held accountable. Call (914) 993-0393 or message us online today to arrange a free consultation.