Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis of an Acute Optic Condition
An acute optic condition is any injury or illness that affects one or both eyes. The condition may be caused by a Nebraska accident, such as a fall or an accidental foreign body being lodged in the eye, or it may be caused by genetic or disease factors, such as when the retina detaches after years of weakening from natural astigmatism.
A wrong diagnosis or delayed diagnosis of an acute optic condition may result in loss of vision or other severe symptoms.
No matter the cause, an acute optic condition must be treated quickly in order to restore the eye to health and to prevent or minimize sight loss or the risk of infection. If an acute optic condition is not diagnosed correctly and the patient must wait for a correct diagnosis, the condition may become more difficult or impossible to treat, and blindness or another permanent impairment might result.
Acute Optic Condition Symptoms
Some symptoms that may indicate an acute optic condition exists include any of the following:
- Sudden loss of vision or change in vision. Sudden vision loss may mean a problem with the retina or with the blood flow to the eye. Likewise, a sudden change in vision, such as suddenly seeing bright flashes of light or a great number of "floaters" in the eye may mean a detached retina, which must be repaired quickly to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Severe eye pain. Sudden severe eye pain might mean a foreign object is caught in the eye or that the pressure inside the eye has increased. Both are potentially dangerous conditions that should be diagnosed and treated quickly.
- Swelling of the eyelid, or an inability to open the eye. These conditions may mean the eye or the tissues surrounding it are infected. Since the human eye has no natural immunity to viruses or bacteria, infections must be treated quickly to prevent eye damage.
- Any kind of trauma to the eye. Blows, cuts, or other events that cause eye pain, swelling, or damage should be examined by a physician as soon as possible after the catastrophic accident
Errors in Diagnosis of Acute Optic Condition
A wrong diagnosis or delayed diagnosis of an acute optic condition may result in loss of vision or other severe symptoms. If your vision has been permanently impaired by the delay caused by a misdiagnosis or a failure to examine you promptly, the experienced Omaha delayed diagnosis attorneys at Cullan & Cullan LLC can help. As lawyers who are also physicians, we have a broad understanding of medical malpractice cases, lending our clients unique and effective legal representation. Call us today at (402) 882-7080 to discuss your legal matter.