Ophthalmology Expert Opines on Standard of Care Following Cataract Surgery

Case Overview

This case takes place in Vermont and involves an elderly male patient with a past medical history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol. The patient underwent left eye extraction of a brunescent cataract. According to the records hydrodissection was performed, and then removal of the nucleus by way of phacoemulsification. At that point, there was a rupture of the posterior capsule and the lens descended into the vitreous. An anterior vitrectomy was performed and cortical material was removed with irrigation and aspiration. According to the testimony of the defendant, it appears that the rupture occurred at the very beginning of the phacoemulsification, and the entire lens descended into the vitreous humor. The defendant proceeded to place an intraocular lens into the sulcus. The patient was then referred to another physician for lensectomy-vitrectomy. Following that surgery, he had multiple procedures including air/fluid exchange, cryo, laser, vitrectomy and scleral buckling. Eventually, it was determined that the patient had a total retinal detachment with extensive PVR, both on the epi-retinal and sub retinal spaces. He underwent extensive vitrectomy, membranectomy, endolaser, and silicone oil tamponade. The patient is currently blind in his left eye.