Glaucoma Medical Negligence Claims

Glaucoma describes a number of different eye conditions. It occurs when the tubes which drain the eye become slightly blocked, preventing eye fluid from draining properly. This causes a build-up of pressure in the eye which can damage the optic nerve.

The condition can develop chronically, or acutely as the result of injury or it may also be due to a hereditary abnormality.

Treatments include drops to lower the pressure in the eye and laser surgery. The objective is to reduce the pressure in the eye, to control the condition and minimise the damage. Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma are crucial as any damage to the eye very unlikely to be reversed. Treatment can only manage the ongoing condition and reduce the risk of any possible future damage.

Legal Help to Glaucoma Sufferers

Pearson Solicitors have successfully conducted litigation arising from a number of cases of delayed diagnosis of glaucoma. Because chronic glaucoma doesn’t cause any symptoms until there is advanced visual loss, effective treatment requires identification of pre-symptomatic disease. A responsible clinician would look for increased intraocular pressure, optic disc changes and visual field abnormalities. If your doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist has failed in their duty of care to diagnose and/or treat glaucoma, then you may have grounds to bring a claim for medical negligence compensation.