Glaucoma and retinal detachment are common, natural causes of visual impairment but with correct and timely treatment the patient’s eyesight can often be preserved. Negligent mistakes or delays in the diagnosis and treatment of these common conditions can damage the patient’s eyesight, leaving them blind or partially sighted with a significant impact on their independence and quality of life. Where the patient’s blindness or visual impairment was caused by negligent delays or mistakes in their ophthalmic care, the injured person may be entitled to claim compensation for their injury and its impact on their life. Compensation for blindness or significant loss of vision can help restore financial security by replacing the lost earnings of the injured person who is no longer able to work, and by paying for additional care and support, specialist technology and equipment, necessary home adaptations, rehabilitation and therapies, and other needs arising directly from the individual’s visual disability. What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a serious condition in which the optic nerve is damaged by increased pressure of the fluid within the eye. Research suggests that in the UK, more than 1 million people over the age of 40 have glaucoma but many are unaware that they have the condition. It is currently the most common cause of blindness in the UK. What are the types of glaucoma? There are various types of glaucoma. These include: Primary angle glaucoma or chronic open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the drainage canals in the eye become blocked over time, leading to increased intraocular pressure (IOP or pressure within the eye) and damage to the optic nerve. Closed angle glaucoma or angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks the natural process of fluid drainage from the eye, increasing the intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye. Normal tension glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is damaged despite normal fluid pressure levels within the eye. Secondary glaucoma occurs as a reaction to something else affecting the eye, such as another eye condition, an injury to the eye or medication. Congenital glaucoma occurs in young children who have abnormal development of their eyes’ drainage system. Can glaucoma be treated? Treatment of glaucoma involves reducing the eye pressure to prevent optic nerve damage and preserve the patient’s eyesight. Glaucoma is a permanent condition. If caught early, glaucoma can often be managed by the patient using eye drops. They may have to do this for the rest of their life. If the pressure within the eye cannot be managed safely with eye drops, surgery may be needed to reduce the pressure and the risk of sight loss from optic nerve injury. What happens if treatment for glaucoma is delayed? As primary open-angle glaucoma is progressive, it worsens over time. If treatment is delayed, the increasing pressure within the eye can cause irreparable damage to the optic nerve and the patient may suffer irreversible sight loss. Compensation claims for blindness or visual impairment from glaucoma often arise from delays in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of the condition. Where negligent or delayed treatment for glaucoma causes blindness or significant visual impairment, the patient may be entitled to claim compensation. What is retinal detachment? The retina is a light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye which converts images into signals and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve. When this membrane or lining pulls away from its normal position at the back of the eye, this is known as retinal detachment. Symptoms of retinal detachment must be treated urgently, as this condition can quickly lead to sight loss in the affected eye. What are the symptoms of retinal detachment? Common symptoms of a detached retina include the patient seeing: dots or floaters, or an increasing number of them in their vision; flashes of light in their vision; a dark "curtain" or shadow moving across their vision. The NHS urges people to seek urgent advice from NHS 111 if their vision is affected by any of the above symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and referral to an ophthalmology specialist for treatment is essential to give the patient the best chance of preserving their eyesight when retinal detachment occurs. The form of surgical treatment will depend on the severity of the retinal tear or detachment. Claims for sight loss caused by negligent treatment for retinal detachment Delay in treatment of retinal detachment can lead to permanent blindness. Where a patient’s loss of vision was caused by delays in diagnosis, referral or treatment of retinal detachment, they may be entitled to claim compensation for the avoidable injury and its financial consequences. Find out more about some of Boyes Turner’s successful retinal detachment negligence claims: Six figure settlement for a client who suffered severe, permanent loss of peripheral vision in both eyes from retinopathy after delays by her hospital eye clinic and her GP in referring her for specialist medical retina clinic review. £150,000 settlement for a client who lost her central vision in one eye after her GP failed to recognise that she was suffering from ‘amaurosis fugax’ transient retinal ischaemic attacks and that she needed urgent referral to a stroke/TIA clinic for treatment. £65,000 settlement for a woman in her fifties who suffered partial loss of vision in one eye after hospital delays in diagnosing her detached retina. If you or a family member have suffered severe injury as a result of medical negligence or have been contacted by HSSIB/MNSI or NHS Resolution you can talk to a solicitor, free and confidentially, for advice about how to respond or make a claim by contacting us.
