LASIK Surgery and Medical Malpractice

Every year, about 4 million people in the United States opt to have LASIK eye surgery with the hope of having better vision. LASIK is a procedure that is done using a laser beam to correct a variety of vision problems such as astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. Often patients go in with glasses or contact lenses and come out with perfect vision. However, there are complications that can occur during the procedure. Some of the most serious complications from this procedure include irregular astigmatism, double vision, dry eyes, or difficulty seeing at nigh. In extreme cases, complications can also result in loss of vision.
In many cases, negative side effects from LASIK surgery come from improperly creating a hinged flap in the cornea. Creating this flap allows the surgeon to get into the eye and remedy the problem. However, if the flap is not cut properly or is sliced too thick or too thin, complications can occur.
If the flap isn’t cut correctly, it can wrinkle across the eye causing changes in the patient’s vision. Patients who suffer from these complications because of a mistake made during the procedure either have to undergo more surgeries or have ongoing medical treatments to remedy their condition. Other complications of the procedure can include eye infections, such as Staphylococcus of the eye, which needs antibiotic treatment. Under-correction, over-correction, or regression can also be a negative outcome of LASIK surgery, which generally means the outcome is not ideal and that it is difficult for the patient to function in various situations.
While in some cases the patient’s reaction to the procedure is not foreseeable and unavoidable, in other cases complications are a result of a doctor’s error. An error in judgment or mistake during the procedure that results in further injury to a patient could result in a medical malpractice claim against that doctor or medical professional. Claiming medical negligence means the injury a patient has suffered was directly caused by something the doctor did or did not do. Patients may seek compensation for damages including but not limited to medical costs, lost wages, past and future suffering and emotional distress.
If you or a loved has been affected by a botched LASIK procedure, please contact the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights. Please contact us at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.work4youlaw.com

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