£80,000 Damages for Failure to Diagnose Eye Infection

A man who suffered loss of vision after a delay in diagnosing an eye infection he developed following cataract surgery has secured compensation.

The man had been seen by ophthalmologists on several occasions after undergoing the operation, with symptoms including blurred vision and floaters. He was initially advised to continue taking medications he had been prescribed following the operation, and was subsequently prescribed steroids.

He was in fact suffering from endophthalmitis, an inflammation of the tissues inside the eye which is most commonly caused by infection. The steroids promoted the infection rather than treating it. As a result of the delayed diagnosis, he suffered vision loss and his treatment was prolonged.

He commenced a personal injury claim. It was established that, if he had been referred for suspected endophthalmitis when he was first seen by an ophthalmologist, his condition would have been treated as a medical emergency and the infection would likely have resolved within four days of treatment, leading to much improved vision in his left eye. He obtained damages of £80,000.