What can I do if the doctor mistreated me?

Question

I went to the eye doctor yesterday for a field test. While there he did a glaucoma test. when he did the field test there were two bottles of drops sitting there. I performed the field test and was fine. Then he put in the drops for the glaucoma test. They were think and gummy in my eyes supposed to be numbing drops but I think he put something else in, because they didn't feel the same as the drops from the last test he did on me a few weeks before. Not only that but my vision has not returned to normal from the test at 2:30 yesterday.  My eyes still hurt, my vision is not back to normal and I have a corneal abrasion from the glaucoma test.  I can barely ready my computer to type this and I certainly can't drive, all of these things I could do prior to my 2:30 appointment yesterday.

Thomas Patrick Connelly · Answer

Sounds like something indeed went wrong. Give it another day or two and give me a call if you are still symptomatic. I need additional information: (1) did your doctor say anything that indicated to you that there was a mistake? (2) how do you know that you scratched your cornea? I have a client who received ear wax remover in his eyes. Your situation does not sound quite as bad, but nonetheless very suspicious.

Paul Whitfield · Answer

You can claim for malpractice but you must prove it. You must find another doctor with the same or higher training and see what he thinks about your case. You might also ask the doctor what the problem is.

William C. Gosnell · Answer

You need to see an Ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Not the same one you saw yesterday and find out what happened.

Herbert Farber · Answer

You should see an ophthalmologist today. Your number one priority should be to have your eye problem assessed by a qualified professional and treatment started, if required. If, in the opinion of a physician, your eye problem stems from medical malpractice, then you should see the counsel of an experienced medical malpractice attorney.

Travis Prestwich · Answer

It probably is a good idea to either go back to your eye doctor, or see another doctor to have things checked out. Any claim that may result would depend on whether there was an injury. If so, was the doctor negligent in causing the injury, etc. Seeing someone about your condition is the first and most important step.

Barry Rabovsky · Answer

If you feel something is wrong, please get a second medical opinion as soon as possible and contact us with the information obtained from the second doctor.

Francis Paul Hajek · Answer

I think you need to go to a doctor and get your eyes checked. A lawyer will not be able to assist you until you find out what is the matter. As a practical matter, most medical malpractice cases involve significant and permanent injuries because the cost of such cases does not permit the handling of smaller cases. Hope this helps.

James Kelaher · Answer

I would promptly see another ophthalmologist, not just an optometrist, to try to get your vision fixed. If it doesn't heal properly and promptly, then I would see an attorney who handles a significant number of medical malpractice cases. He or she may not feel your damages are sufficient to sink tens of thousands of dollars into the costs which will necessarily be incurred, but see a lawyer; first, try to get your eyes healed by a different, and good, ophthalmologist.

David Van Sant · Answer

Your eye doctor may very well be responsible if the drops were not eye drops. If the drops were the right stops and you simply had an isolated reaction then you might not have a claim. You have to ask yourself what did the doc do wrong. You should consult an attorney.

Lyle Masnikoff · Answer

You may have a medical malpractice case against the doctor. However, these cases are very difficult and many attorneys will not take the case unless there are huge damages. It may be too early to tell what your damages are but I would recommend speaking to a medical malpractice attorney.

Eric Chandler · Answer

First, follow up with a doctor as soon as possible to make sure there is not serious damage to your eye. The sticky gummy eye drops you are describing are pretty standard for eye exams. Typically, when you are seen for glaucoma, the doctor is doing a pressure test on your eyes and then dilating your eyes so that they can better see your optic nerves. The effect of this should be gone within 4-5 hours, however some people react differently. Again, the first thing I would do is call the doctor and let them know what id going on.

Medical malpractice claims are very tough and very expensive. If you are okay, and there is no serious injury to your eye, it will likely not be worth pursuing a claim. If there was serious damage done to your eye, then set up a consultation with a medical malpractice attorney in your area as soon as you are able to.

Mark Leonardo · Answer

The first thing to do is get immediate treatment from someone else and see if they are able to ascertain what happened. You could go back to the original doctor, but he may be less than honest and try to cover up his mistake. Most doctors do not want to get involved in litigation, but see if you can get the new doctor to commit to what the cause was for the injury and encourage him to document the record to that effect. If the injury is minor and your sight returns in few days, then you should have the other doctor pay for your care. If your eyes are damaged permanently or for a significant period of time, contact a medical malpractice lawyer to pursue a claim.

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What can I do if the doctor mistreated me?

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