Cataract Surgery Resulting in Blindness in Eye: $1.15 Million Settlement

Blindness caused by needle perforating globe of eye during administration of anesthesia

Medical Malpractice Trial Report, 2018

The plaintiff was a 69-year-old female who suffered permanent right eye vision loss following right eye phacoemulsification at Cataract & Laser Center West, in W. Springfield, Massachusetts.

During the procedure by the defendant ophthalmologist, the defendant anesthesiologist administered a peribulbar block. The actual cataract procedure was uncomplicated and successful.

The following day, the patient was unable to see out of the eye, and went for testing that revealed the anesthesia needle had perforated the globe during the administration of the anesthesia with possible injection of the anesthetic inside the eye, resulting in central retinal artery occlusion.

The patient never regained sight in that eye. The plaintiff alleged the anesthesiologist was negligent, and had not been properly trained. The plaintiff further contended that the ophthalmologist had not vetted the qualifications of the anesthesiologist to do these types of procedures.

The case settled for $1,150,000 at mediation after discovery.

Hampden Superior Court

Lubin & Meyer attorneys for the plaintiff: Andrew C. Meyer, Jr. and William J. Thompson


See related articles:

Anesthesiologist Eyed in Series of Cataract Surgery Errors
Attorney William Thompson quoted in page 1 Boston Globe article on 5 cataract surgeries gone bad at Cataract & Laser Center West. Lubin & Meyer represented two of these patients.

See related trial report:

Cataract Surgery Error: $1.15M Settlement
Lawsuit claims anesthesiologist not properly trained or vetted by ophthalmologist results in right eye vision loss following cataract procedure


Questions about cataract or other surgery resulting in permanent blindness or vision loss?

Do you have questions about a possible medical malpractice claim?

Contact Us - There is no fee or cost to you to have your case evaluated by our qualified medical malpractice attorneys. Call 800-866-2889 to speak with an attorney today.

Lubin & Meyer PC - Boston’s Innovative Leader in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law

Our medical malpractice lawyers are licensed to practice in: Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.


Return to: Verdicts & Settlements case archive

Return to: Lubin & Meyer home page