59-year-old Male Glaucoma Patient Loses Remaining Eyesight Due to Hastily Performed Surgery

Type of Injury: Blindness following surgery

Type of Case: Settlement

Settlement Amount: Confidential

On August 2, 2010, M-59 underwent Baerveldt implantation. The stated purpose was to control the patient's intraocular pressure ("IOP"). A Baerveldt implant is a glaucoma drainage devices ("GDD") are designed to route fluid (aqueous humor) from the anterior chamber of the eye to an external reservoir. M-59 lost the remaining eyesight in his left eye during this high-pressure phase after the surgery, effectively snuffing out his eyesight. The phenomenon of severe visual loss after surgery is known as "snuff syndrome".

Glaucoma is a chronic condition characterized by progressive pressure/ischemic damage to the optic nerve head. Glaucoma patients with compromised optic nerves are at a higher risk of damage and possibly snuff out due to post-surgical high pressure.

Settlement was reached before the plaintiff's opening statement during jury trial.

The above summary is specific to a particular case and is not intended as a projected outcome on any other matter.