New Jersey Eye Surgery Complications Attorneys | Dry Eye & Retina Detachment Lawyers Philadelphia PA

What Can Go Wrong?

Potential Eye Surgery Complications

If you are considering Lasik eye surgery based on what you've heard about the wonderful benefits and low side effects, you need to have all the facts before you proceed. What you don't know can hurt you — permanently.

If you have already had eye surgery and developed any of the following complications, you may or may not have grounds for a lawsuit for damages: (A) Did you fully understand the risks? (B) Were you misled about the outcome? (C) Was your injury or side effect the result of normal risk or medical negligence? Contact Hill & Associates, P.C. to determine if you have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Eye Surgery Complications

Lasik vision correction surgery (refractive surgery), cornea transplant surgery or cataract surgery all contain some risk of adverse outcomes. While the risks are statistically low, and many complications are temporary, some can lead to permanent damage. Here we list some of the most common side effects of eye surgery:

VISUAL EFFECTS

Overcorrection or undercorrection — Lasik surgery involves reshaping the cornea, the outer protective layer of the eye to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism (irregularity in the cornea causing visual distortions). If the surgeon miscalculates prior to surgery or removes too much or too little corneal tissue, the surgery may be unsuccessful. It may be possible to correct the error through additional surgery or by wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. If not, you may have a suit for loss of best corrected vision.
Blurred vision — The eye(s) cannot bring objects into focus, making reading, driving and everyday tasks difficult or impossible.
Double vision — The binocular function of the eyes is impaired, and two overlapping images are seen instead of one.
Glare — Light scatters on the surface of the cornea, producing glare from headlights that makes night driving difficult.
Halos — Rings are seen around bright lights as the pupil expands to the edge of the surgical incisions on the cornea.
Starbursts — Similar to halos, bright lights become distracting flares.
Ghosts — A shadow or negative image is seen next to the main object.
Sensitivity to light — This is normal after surgery, but some patients are permanently affected.

COMPLICATIONS IN HEALING

Dry eyes — An interruption of the corneal nerve that produces tears, this common side effect usually goes away within weeks. But patients with dry eyes prior to surgery or who are unsuitable candidates for Lasik may suffer from chronic dry eye syndrome long afterward.

Flap complications — In refractive surgery (Lasik or PRK), a microkeratome cuts a ring of tiny incisions in the surface of the cornea, leaving a hinged flap that can be peeled back. The laser is then used to shape the underlying cornea (ablation) to make it more steep or more flat to correct vision. The flap is then replaced and normally heals in a few weeks. Common complications can include:

Lost flap — The micro thin layer is lost or irreparably damaged during surgery.
Melt — The flap disintegrates after surgery.
Wrinkles, folds or buttonhole in the flap
Decentering — The flap slips off the surface and adheres out of position
Infection in the cornea
Sands of the Sahara — A pattern of white blood cells similar to tiny sand dunes created by the action of the microkeratome
Debris or irregular cell growth under the flap

Some flap problems are self-repairing. Some require immediate intervention or stoppage of the procedure. Others require surgical re-treatment later. Any complication may result in lasting visual effects.

Corneal ectasia — The surgery causes the cornea to distort or elongate over time, altering vision. Retreatment by Lasik is not typically an option. Special glasses or contacts may be needed. In extreme cases, a corneal transplant is required.

Central Corneal Islands — If the laser surgery does not remove tissue uniformly, the patient may experience irregularities on the cornea. This is a rare condition, and it usually resolves itself, but may require further treatment.

Epithelial Ingrowths — Cells growing under the corneal flap after surgery can have an adverse impact on vision. If the cells fail to stop growing, or are not reabsorbed in to the cornea, this condition may require further surgery.

Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis (DLK) — Foreign bodies trapped under the corneal flap after surgery can cause pain, blurring, light sensitivity or irritation. This is a dangerous condition but easily treated if caught early.

Vision fluctuation — Eyesight changes from day to day.

Regression — Vision is initially improved, but the cornea reverts to its original shape. Retreatment may or may not be possible.

Induced astigmatism — The eye surgery results in scars or irregularities in the cornea that affect the eye's ability to focus.

Inner eye complications — Eye surgeries can disturb the vitreous, the clear, thick fluid that fills the eyeball. This can cause retina detachment (separation of the vitreous from the light-focusing retina or result in "floaters" debris suspended in the vitreous seen as spots in the field of vision). A macular hole developed in the retina can make the eye partially blind.

Blindness — Blindness is a very rare outcome of eye surgery. But visual effects, infections and other complications of eye surgery can be very debilitating. They may make employment unfeasible, driving dangerous or reading all but impossible. Everyday chores can become difficult, favorite activities joyless. Some patients will have to go back to wearing contact lenses or need to wear eyeglasses.

Compensation for Complications

If medical malpractice caused the problem, you may have a lawsuit to cover medical care (corrective surgery, medications, eyewear), lost wages, pain and suffering, and lost enjoyment of life.