“Interesting Case” – – Patient 2 – – Steroid-Induced Glaucoma

As I mentioned in the previous blog, the last thing you want to hear from your doctor is that you have an “interesting case.”

My second client who was written up in the Journal of Refractive Surgery developed steroid-induced glaucoma, and was blinded after LASIK, because of mismanagement of a post-operative complication.  She was given steroid eye drops for several weeks. Steroids are known to increase intraocular pressure (“IOP”) with extended use, but her eye doctors never bothered to check her IOP.  The elevated IOP eventually caused irreversible damage to her optic nerve. A copy of the article can viewed here.

Unrelated to this “interesting case,” LASIK surgeons rarely explain that a natural consequence of LASIK surgery makes it difficult to measure IOP, and monitor patients for warning signs of glaucoma.  The LASIK-induced changes to the cornea cause standard IOP monitors, or tonometers, to understate the true IOP.  If you know that you are at risk for glaucoma, you should discuss this issue not only with your LASIK surgeon, but also with a glaucoma specialist, before having this elective procedure.

The Glaucoma Foundation defines glaucoma as a group of eye diseases which in most cases produce increased pressure within the eye. This elevated pressure is caused by a backup of fluid in the eye. Over time, it causes damage to the optic nerve. For more about this silent theft of sight, see http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/about_glaucoma.htm

If you or a loved one has been injured by a doctor, you should promptly contact an attorney with experience in medical malpractice.  The Law Office of Todd J. Krouner has a proven track record of helping patients injured by LASIK (and other forms of medical malpractice) all over the country.  To determine if you have a strong case, contact us for a free consultation at (914) 238-5800.