Possible Cataract Surgery Complications

Cataract surgery is not the most complicated surgery you can ever face, but the eye is an extremely delicate organ, and this means any small mistake can have devastating consequences. Here are some of the complications you may experience due to cataract surgery:

Eye Infection

Post-operative infections are a constant threat to all forms of surgeries. However, it is particularly bad for your eyes because the eye is such a sensitive organ, and even a small eye infection can cause serious problems. There are several potential causes of eye infections after cataract surgery; for example, you may develop an infection if the surgical tools were not clean enough, the surgical room wasn't sanitized or you have not received proper care after your surgery. The exact cause of the infection will determine whether it is a case of negligence (hence malpractice) or not.

Retinal Detachment

A retinal detachment occurs when damage occurs to the retina, causing it to detach from the back wall of your eye. As a result, you may develop partial or complete loss of vision. The risk of retinal detachment during cataract surgery is small, but it is there nonetheless. As previously mentioned, the eye is a pretty sensitive organ, which means a retinal detachment isn't an automatic evidence of medical malpractice. However, you may have a medical malpractice case in your hands if the surgeon made a preventable mistake during the operation.

Globe Perforation

The globe is the eyeball – a hollow structure that encloses a cavity filled with fluids. Perforation of the globe is a serious medical emergency because delayed intervention can easily lead to permanent vision loss. Globe perforations sometimes occur with improper application of the anesthesia meant to deaden your senses and make the cataract surgery comfortable and possible. Again, it cannot be stressed enough that the exact cause of the perforation is what determines it is a medical malpractice or not.

Inaccurate Eye Measurements before Surgery

Lastly, you may also experience complications with after your cataract surgery if your post-operative eye measurements weren't accurate. For example, if the eye measurements overestimated the extent of the cataract, then the surgeon may end up treating parts of your eyes where the cataract hasn't spread. As a result, your vision may be impaired instead of improved after your surgery.

The damages associated with cataract surgery can be enormous. Therefore, if you suspect your complications are as a result of medical malpractice, consult an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to help you figure out how to get the compensation you deserve.

Share