Cataract Surgery / Retinal Artery Occlusion

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CASE: Cataract Surgery / Retinal Artery Occlusion

FACTS: The 61-year old plaintiff was undergoing the administration of anesthesia in advance of cataract surgery. The anesthesia was administered via injections to the peribulbar space. The defendant inadvertently penetrated the globe of the plaintiff’s eye with the final injection, causing a “retinal break.” Moreover, the defendant’s failure to recognize the inadvertent perforation resulted in the administration of anesthetic to the globe of the patient’s eye. That, in turn, resulted in a sudden increase in pressure, retinal artery occlusion and retinal tissue damage.

DEFENSE: The defendant alleged that there was no breach of the applicable standard of care.

INJURIES: An incision to decompress the patient’s eyeball and subsequent laser treatments to repair the retinal break failed to reverse the retinal tissue damage, leaving the plaintiff with permanent vision loss. She suffers from a scotoma (blind spot) in the inferior visual field of one eye. This affects her depth perception, depth discrimination and the ability to engage in many activities to the same extent that she did previously.

SPECIAL DAMAGES: Medical bills: $2,500.00

SETTLEMENT: The parties agreed to settle for a confidential amount.

PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL: Randolph J. Reis, Esquire (Reis Law, PLLC)

NAMES/COUNTY: Anonymous v. Anonymous