Hi guys,
I would like to seek some advice on how to go about getting compensation from a hospital for the after effects of SMILE surgery done on me a couple of months ago.

During the consultation it was mentioned by one of the optometrists checking my eyes that I have a bad tear breakup time (well below the average of 10 seconds). Despite this comment, no tests for my existing dry eye were actually performed by the Dr and her team. Instead I was given the go ahead and stupidly went along.

The post surgery had some complications and I had to be put in a bandage lens in each eye. But the worst part was that I now have severe dry eyes. It has majorly disrupted my quality of life as I’m unable to go outside for long. My eyes are hypersensitive to wind drafts and will be in great pain if exposed to wind, fan or aircond. I walk around with protective foam glasses even at home.

The doctor who performed my surgery kept insisting the abrasions I developed on my eyes post bandage lens removal were NOT because of the surgery. I had many other issues with my eyes and spent tons of money on eye drops. I only was diagnosed with severe dry eyes after getting a second opinion at a different hospital.

There is no cure for this and I can only wait till a year and beyond to see if my tear ducts recover well enough for me to return to normal. I have plugs installed in my tear ducts by the second hospital to relieve my severe dry eye symptoms but I am very susceptible to my eyeball being injured due to how dry it is now.

I submitted a complaint to the hospital against their doctor for not informing or even testing me for dry eyes and not even having a post surgery mitigation plan in place for it. They are launching an internal investigation and will get back to me with the chronology of events.

I know I am not able to sue them given they are such a large group, what are realistically my options now? I have anxiety and am very depressed everyday as I cannot function normally in day to day life, work is also affected. I basically do not know how my eyes will be when I wake up every morning. I have gone through considerable mental and physical suffering and my eye drops bill monthly is close to rm1k as I have to use large amounts a day. That’s not even counting the supplements, protective glasses, and trips to the hospitals done.

I believe the first doctor acted out of bad faith just to secure me as a client. It is impossible she did not know I was suffering from severe dry eye symptoms post surgery, notwithstanding her negligence to test for it and not even once did she mention any issue with dry eyes although I visited her more than 6 times in 2 weeks post surgery for many issues.

Thank you all!

To add on, the second doctor I visited who diagnosed me with severe dry eyes also told me that I should have been tested and treated for dry eyes before doing the surgery. She asked me if the first hospital pushed me for the surgery and I said yes they did, which is true. They very eagerly took the nearest date possible down. I’m full of regrets but what is done is done. I want to seek any action I can to secure compensation to pay for my ongoing eye drops and other treatments needed to manage this condition daily.

Sorry to hear of your predicament. Did the doctors prescribe any other interventions apart from lubricating eyedrops and plugs? More importantly is hows the prognosis going forward. Did 2 eyes at one go?

U need a lawyer

Sorry to hear about your condition. Most people will do one eye at a time in case of complications but the hospital may be too greedy for money. Your condition is severe enough and the case clear cut enough to get a lawyer to sue the hospital. The hospital is unlikely to want to go to court and destroy their business so there is good chance they will settle. Squeeze them as much as you can.

Do you mind mentioning a hint for which company is that? I would like to do further research for myself.

Edit: Or pm me. Tq.

This post has been edited by blueq01: Mar 5 2021, 11:26 AM

yeah, better get a lawyer, if money permits

Consult a medicolegal lawyer and file a case against them

As someone with occasional bouts of dry eyes (never done any surgery before, wouldn't dare do), I empathise with you. Driving at night for you will be out of the question for now, right?

not mention aircon enviroment. actually even car aircon dries out my eyes if it's a long drive.

Is it so bad that it causes blur vision? You put lubricants and does it help?

Even face masks can dry out eyes if not worn properly

1k eye drops per month really alot
Use preservative free , and avoid cortisteroid eye drops

Sorry to hear your predicament.

I believe you would have signed a consent form before surgery. This standard form would have included that you have read and understand the risks involved.

It would be difficult to sue them if you have voluntary signed this form.

FYI, this 2010 study states "Chronic dry eye persisting six months or more after LASIK was diagnosed in 28 per cent of Asian eyes and 5 per cent of Caucasian eyes (p < 0.001). Asian patients with chronic dry eye were predominantly female, reported dry eye symptoms, had greater ocular surface staining and lower tear secretion, stability and volume before surgery. After LASIK, Asian eyes had a slower return to pre‐operative values for ocular surface staining, tear volume and corneal sensation."

Asians are 5.6 times more susceptible to chronic dry eyes post op.

2010 Study

Since the surgery has been done, it would be almost impossible to reverse the post op dry eyes.

Please consult/speak to a lawyer asap.
Many years back, I spoke to a eye specialist doctor during a routine visit of my desire to do lasik. He spoke to me about all his patients from post lasik complications. Adviced me to continue wearing specs.

.
Not ALL doctors can be trusted. A few are Dr.$$$$.

Similarly for car doctors or mechanics.
.

Yup, long drives are especially worse. I suppose we blink less when driving on hw.

When eyes are too dry, vision will not be sharp. Sometimes can see "double lines", macam astigmatism case
Lubricants only helps momentarily.

Yup, exhaled breath zhun zhun kena the eyes. That's why I hate driving with mask on. Thankfully I'm not an e-hailing driver.

Something this serious you should engage a lawyer, not lowyat forum.

man I feel bad for you, stay strong TS