Laser Eye Surgery Claims
If you or a loved one have suffered because of laser eye surgery that went wrong due to negligence, making a claim for compensation can help to make up for the damage caused. JMW’s expert medical negligence solicitors can provide the assistance you need to gain the compensation to which you are entitled.
We are highly experienced in laser eye surgery claims and can support you through every stage of the legal process, helping you to build a strong case and giving you the best possible chance of securing a favourable outcome.
Call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience. By doing so, we will be able to discuss your situation in more detail and provide you with all the information you need to make a successful claim on a no win, no fee basis.
How JMW Can Help
JMW is well-versed in claiming compensation on behalf of clients who have suffered due to medical negligence. We offer free initial advice and are able to take cases on a no win, no fee basis, ensuring you place yourself at no financial risk by making a claim through us.
Our team understands how distressing it can be to experience this kind of serious medical problem and will provide you with compassionate support and advice, no matter the circumstances of your case.
JMW has one of the most experienced and respected clinical negligence teams in the UK. Headed by leading solicitor Eddie Jones, the team includes members of the Law Society's specialist panel of clinical negligence solicitors and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitor panel.
How to Make a Laser Eye Surgery Claim
If laser eye surgery goes wrong due to a medical error, it can leave the patient with serious and life-changing injuries, including the possible loss of their vision. When this happens, a clinical negligence compensation claim can help you cover the cost of your future care and ensure those responsible are held to account.
If you wish to pursue a laser eye surgery claim we will help you by discussing the details of your case in full, before working to collect evidence that you were the victim of negligence. We will do so by consulting your medical reports and consulting with independent medical experts.
In all cases, our aim will be to settle your claim as early as possible to help you move on with your life, in most cases out of court. Where feasible, we will also investigate the possibility of securing interim payments to help pay for any immediate care you may require.
FAQs
What is laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a procedure intended to correct common eye disorders, known as refractive errors, and to eliminate or reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.
A number of forms of laser eye surgery are available for different medical purposes, including:
- LASIK - the reshaping of underlying corneal tissue
- Wavefront-guided LASIK - designed to reduce natural irregularities in the eye
- PRK - reshaping of the cornea using a laser
- LASEK - creation of an epithelial flap using a 20% alcohol solution
As these procedures have increased in popularity over recent years, the number of laser eye surgery negligence claims reported by doctors insured by the Medical Defence Union has also risen, underlining the potential risks inherent to all types of surgery.
How does LASIK surgery work?
LASIK is one of the best-known laser eye surgery techniques and involves the removal of superficial corneal tissue under a protective corneal flap to alter the curvature of the cornea. This allows better focusing of light on to the retina, improving the person’s vision.
Preoperative evaluation is vital before carrying out this procedure as it is necessary to assess how much of the stromal bed should be removed. The human cornea is usually between 550 and 600 microns thick, which means that at least 250 microns of the stromal bed should remain during laser eye surgery in order to reduce the risk of corneal instability caused by excessive thinning of the stromal bed.
However, if a patient presents with an already thin cornea - less than 550 microns, for instance - this limits the amount of stromal bed that can be removed during the procedure. If the safety margin is unknown because of an insufficient preoperative assessment this creates a risk of too much tissue being removed, resulting in the loss of normal cornea stability. When this happens it may be possible to make a claim for clinical negligence.
What are the potential complications of laser eye surgery?
All surgery comes with potential risks and the most common complications associated with laser eye surgery include:
- Astigmatism
- Corneal erosion
- Corneal haze or scarring
- Dry eyes
- Halo effect
- Infections
- Over or under-correction
- Rise in eye fluid pressure
- Tearing
Other related complications include:
- Glaucoma - a serious condition typically caused by the build-up of fluid in the eye, resulting in very high pressure in the eye
- Failure to correct cataracts - poor surgical technique can result in the failure of cataract surgery, which can lead to vision impairment
- Detachment of the retina - if not treated quickly, a detached retina can lead to severe vision impairment and even blindness
More than 90% of eye laser procedures result in a positive outcome for the patient but in around 1% of cases complications will emerge following surgery. It is important that potential side effects, alternative treatments and realistic expected outcomes are clearly discussed with the patient before embarking on this type of procedure.
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Talk to Us
To discuss a potential laser eye surgery compensation claim with us, call us on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.
