Not being able to see alters how humans understand and function in the world. Impaired vision can affect emotional, neurological, and physical development by potentially limiting the range of experiences and the kinds of information people are exposed to.
Nearly two-thirds of those born with vision impairment also have one or more other developmental disabilities, such as mental retardation,
cerebral palsy,
hearing impairment, or
epilepsy. Recently, the Federal government warned of the resurgence of
kernicterus as a cause of vision problems. Kernicterus may occur in newborns who suffer from
jaundice. Your
doctor's failure to properly treat jaundice that causes kernicterus, and subsequently causes vision problems, may be
malpractice. If you or your child suffer from a vision problem that was caused by a doctor's negligence, it may be important to
contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights.
Laser eye surgery, or "Lasik," and cataract surgery have become extremely popular. However, while such procedures are performed on millions of patients every year, problems still persist. Often patients complain of dryness in the eyes immediately following these procedures. In addition,
infections can develop and some patients experience painful glares, annoying halo effects, and damage to other parts of the
eye.
Loss of vision, including total blindness, may also occur after undergoing certain
surgical procedures that are completely unrelated to the eyes. Such a tragic outcome may occur if
blood pressure drops dangerously low, hampering blood and oxygen flow to the eyes. Without adequate oxygen, the eyes may be damaged to a point where they no longer function. Surgeons must carefully guard against such a drop in blood pressure. Failure to do so may be malpractice.
In May 2005, CBS News reported that federal health officials were investigating cases of blindness in men who used
Viagra. The FDA is reviewing 50 cases of vision loss, although a direct link to the drug has not been determined. According to physicians, Viagra may be affecting blood circulation to the optic nerve, causing blindness. Consumer groups are asking the FDA to add a black box warning to Viagra's label because of the reports of blindness.
If your vision deteriorated after any surgical procedure, you should see a doctor as you may be suffering from easily correctable side effects. However, if your eyesight has become significantly worse because of your doctor's negligence, it may be important to
contact an attorney.
Please keep in mind that there may be
time limits within which you must commence suit.
See Also
- Eye Disorders
- 15-Passenger Vans: Overview
- Accelerator
- Airbags
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
- Ammonia
- Ativan / Lorazepam
- Automatic Doors: Overview
- Baby Cribs, Car Seats & Carriers
- Ballou High School - Washington, D.C.
- Brakes
- Bronco II
- Bungee Cords
- Car Roof Integrity
- Cataract Surgery: Overview
- Cialis / Tadalafil
- Daisy BB Guns
- Diazinon
- Dog Bite
- Fireworks: Overview
- Ford Explorer
- Ford F-150: Overview
- Front-to-Rear Collision
- Front-to-Side Collision
- Gen-3 Seat Belts
- Graco Children's Products Car Seats
- Group B Strep - Diagnosis Errors
- Gun Violence: Overview
- Hair-dye
- Head-On Collision With Another Vehicle
- Head-On With Object
- Defective Helmets: Overview
- Lasik & Other Laser Eye Surgery
- Lawn Care Tools: Overview
- Levitra / Vardenafil
- Logging Accidents
- Mascara, Eye Shadow, and Eyeliner: Overview
- Medical Procedures: Overview
- Mercury
- Motorcycles
- Niacin / Nicotinic Acid / Nicotinamide: Overview
- Nitrogen Mustards (HN-1, HN-2, HN-3) (Blister Agent)
- Olin Corporation Plant - McIntosh, Alabama
- Paint Guns
- Rear End Collision: Overview
- Rear-Center-Seat Lap Belts
- Rollover
- Scaffolding Accidents
- SCUBA Accidents
- Seat Belts
- Selenium Hexafluoride
- Side Impact Collision
- Snowmobiles: Overview
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Sulfur Trioxide
- Dangerous Toys: Overview
- Vehicle Design / Crashworthiness
- Viagra / Sildenafil Citrate
- Violent Children & Teenagers: Overview
- Water Balloon Slingshots
- Willow Bark / Salix Species: Overview
- Windshields & Auto Glass: Overview