Settlement of £100,000 obtained for poor glaucoma care resulting in blindness

Mr A has been attending his eye clinic regularly due to his glaucoma diagnosis. However, from 2006, there was a failure to note his increasing intraocular pressures and make a referral for appropriate management and consideration of further treatment. The hospital undertook an investigation, which revealed multiple failings to detect concerns with eye pressures and escalate his care over a 10 – 15-year period.

Unfortunately, Mr A was rendered blind in both eyes as a consequence. The clinical negligence investigation found that Mr A should have been offered surgery, by way of a trabeculectomy, by 2010 for his left eye and 2012 for his right eye, and this would have preserved his visual fields.

Given the findings of the investigation, the Defendant admitted liability for their negligence early in the claim but delayed in settlement, unreasonably.

The case recently settled for £100,000, which was more than half what the Defendant stated that the case should be compromised for.

Ruth Houghton comments that, whilst the settlement will not restore what Mr A had lost in terms of his sight, compensation is aimed to help ease the difficulties faced, with the ability to buy aids and equipment and make adaptations to his home to improve the quality of his life.

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