Our eyesight is precious. When something goes wrong with our vision, we rely on medical professionals to diagnose and treat the problem quickly and effectively. Sadly, mistakes can and do happen. When eye problems are misdiagnosed, left untreated, or worsened by poor care, the consequences can be life-changing.

If you believe you have suffered harm due to ophthalmology negligence, you may be able to pursue an eye injury claim. Whether the negligence occurred during diagnosis, treatment, or eye surgery, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and legal position.

In this article, we explain how to recognise the signs of ophthalmic negligence, what to do if you think you’ve been affected, and how to start a claim for eye injury negligence.

Please contact our specialist medical negligence team in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich and Leeds, or fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of our contact page.

What is ophthalmology negligence?

Ophthalmology negligence occurs when a healthcare professional, such as an optician, ophthalmologist, or eye surgeon, provides substandard care that results in avoidable harm.

This could include delays in diagnosing an eye condition, prescribing the wrong treatment, or mistakes during eye surgery.

If you have suffered a worsening of your vision, unnecessary pain, or other injury because of poor care, you may be able to sue an eye doctor or hospital responsible for the treatment.

Common causes of ophthalmology negligence

While ophthalmic negligence can take many forms, the following are among the most frequent causes of eye care malpractice:

• Errors during eye surgery – such as cataract or laser surgery mistakes, which can result in infection, retinal damage, or permanent sight loss.
• Failure to diagnose conditions – including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or retinal detachment, where delays can lead to irreversible damage.
• Incorrect treatment or medication – administering the wrong eye drops or injections, or failing to monitor side effects properly.
• Misinterpretation of test results – errors in interpreting scans or pressure readings that delay vital treatment.
• Poor post-operative care – neglecting to identify or treat complications such as infection or inflammation after surgery.

The following steps outline what you should do if you believe you’ve been affected by negligent ophthalmological care.

The signs of ophthalmic negligence

It is not always easy to tell the difference between a recognised complication and eye injury negligence. However, certain warning signs may suggest something has gone wrong:

• Sudden or unexplained loss of vision following treatment
• Persistent or severe pain, redness, or swelling after surgery
• Delays in diagnosis or treatment despite worsening symptoms
• Inconsistent information or poor communication from your doctor
• Feeling that your concerns were dismissed or ignored
• Being told “nothing is wrong” when symptoms clearly persist

If any of these apply, you should take the following steps as soon as possible:

Seek immediate medical advice

Your first priority should always be your health. If you think your vision has worsened due to eye surgery negligence or incorrect treatment, seek urgent medical assessment, ideally from a different ophthalmologist or hospital.

A second opinion ensures you receive the care you need and provides an independent assessment of what went wrong. If you are experiencing pain, discharge, or visual loss, do not delay in visiting your GP, local A&E, or an emergency eye clinic.

Obtaining prompt treatment is not only vital for your recovery, but it can also provide early evidence of how quickly the issue was identified and managed after the suspected negligence.

Gather medical records and treatment details

Once you have received appropriate medical attention, start collecting as much information as possible about your care. This includes:

• Hospital and GP records
• Test results, prescriptions, and imaging scans
• Correspondence, appointment letters, and referral notes

Under the Data Protection Act, you are entitled to copies of your medical records. These documents form a crucial part of any eye injury claim, helping your solicitor and independent experts determine what went wrong and when.

If you were treated privately, you can still request copies of your records directly from the clinic or hospital. Keep all communications in writing where possible.

Keep a diary of your symptoms and recovery

A personal diary can be invaluable evidence in a medical negligence case. Record your symptoms, pain levels, emotional impact, and how your condition affects your daily life.

For example, note down if you struggle to read, drive, or work, or if your eyesight problems affect your independence. Documenting this helps your solicitor calculate the full extent of your losses, including pain and suffering, future care needs, and financial impact.

You should also keep receipts for any related expenses, such as travel costs to appointments, medication, or equipment to assist with daily tasks.

Speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor

Ophthalmic negligence cases are medically and legally complex. A specialist medical negligence solicitor will understand how to obtain expert evidence, interpret ophthalmology records, and liaise with specialists to build a strong case.

At Ashtons Legal, our solicitors have extensive experience in eye injury negligence and eye surgery negligence claims. We will investigate the care you received, gather the necessary medical opinions, and assess whether you can sue an eye doctor or healthcare provider for substandard treatment.

You’ll be guided through each stage of the process,  from gathering initial evidence to negotiating compensation or, where necessary, issuing court proceedings.

We offer clear, compassionate advice and can often handle claims on a No Win, No Fee basis, so there is no financial risk to you in pursuing your case.

Understand the process and time limits

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment, or the date you first realised something was wrong, to bring a medical negligence claim.

For children, this three-year period does not start until their 18th birthday. If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit may not apply until capacity is regained.

Because these deadlines can be complex and strict, it’s important to seek early legal advice. Your solicitor can help determine the relevant dates and ensure your claim is started in time.

The legal process typically involves:

1. Investigation and evidence gathering – reviewing your records and obtaining expert opinions.
2. Letter of claim – setting out the allegations of negligence against the responsible party.
3. Response from the defendant – admitting or denying fault.
4. Negotiation or court proceedings – depending on the strength of the evidence and whether liability is admitted.

While many cases settle before reaching court, early preparation and strong expert evidence are key to achieving a successful outcome.

What compensation can I receive for ophthalmology negligence?

Compensation for eye care malpractice aims to place you back in the position you would have been in had the negligence not occurred. This can include:

• Pain, suffering and loss of quality of life
• Partial or total loss of vision
• Cost of corrective or future treatment
• Loss of earnings and pension contributions
• Care, rehabilitation, and support needs
• Equipment or home adaptations
• Psychological impact and distress

Each case is unique, and the amount awarded will depend on the nature and severity of the injury and its long-term consequences.

Contact our ophthalmology negligence solicitors today

If you have suffered harm due to eye injury negligence, eye surgery negligence, or other mistakes during eye surgery, our specialist solicitors are here to help.

If you would like to discuss your circumstances, you can contact our medical negligence solicitors in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich and Leeds, or fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of our contact page.