What you should expect to be told before eye surgery

Before planned eye surgery, you should have a proper conversation with the doctor treating you. You should have the chance to ask questions and talk about anything that worries you.

 Your doctor should normally tell you:

• What the surgery involves and why it’s being recommended.
• What the hoped-for benefits are, and how likely they are to happen.
• What the main risks and possible complications are.
• What you can expect during recovery.
• What other treatments may be available.
• What could happen if you decide not to have the surgery.
• Whether you’ll need further treatment or follow-up care.

You should also have time to think about what you’ve been told. You don’t have to feel rushed into making a decision, and you can change your mind before the operation.

This is particularly important from a legal point of view. A doctor doesn’t have to list every tiny risk that could possibly happen. Instead, the discussion should focus on risks that a reasonable patient would want to know about, as well as risks that are especially important to you.

For example, if losing some vision would have a major effect on your work or daily life, that may be something you particularly want to discuss. Serious risks should also be explained even when they’re unlikely to happen. It can have serious consequences when patients are not given enough information to make an informed choice. Our team represented an elderly man who suffered significant sight loss following negligent eye surgery. His claim settled for £75,000, providing financial security and recognising the impact the avoidable injury had on his independence and day-to-day life. Cases like this highlight why patients should be told about the risks of treatment in a clear and understandable way before deciding whether to go ahead.

The law therefore puts the focus on what matters to the patient, rather than simply asking whether a standard list of risks was mentioned. You should be given information in a way you can understand. If medical terms or statistics are confusing, it’s reasonable to ask the doctor to explain them in plain English. Remember, asking questions doesn’t mean you’re being difficult. It’s part of making sure you understand your choices.

You shouldn’t be made to feel that surgery is your only choice if there are reasonable alternatives. Your doctor should explain the available options, including whether it’s reasonable to wait or have no treatment. They should explain the benefits and risks of those options too.

You can ask questions such as what happens if you decide not to proceed with the surgery or if there are alternatives to it. You are also entitled to ask for advice specific to you. This can include if you have other health conditions and would like to know how successful the surgery could be in light of these.

Your doctor should explain what recovery is likely to be like before you agree to the operation.

Your doctor should tell you about temporary symptoms, such as discomfort or changes in your vision, depending on the type of surgery. You should also be told what follow-up appointments you’ll need and what warning signs mean you should seek medical help.

It’s worth asking when you can return to normal activities, including work, driving, exercise and other things that matter to you.

If something doesn’t feel right after surgery, don’t simply assume it’s part of the recovery. Follow the advice you’ve been given and contact your healthcare team if you’re concerned.

If you believe you weren’t properly told about an important risk before eye surgery, it may raise questions about whether you gave properly informed consent. That doesn’t automatically mean that the surgery was negligent or that you have a legal claim. These cases depend on the individual circumstances, including if you were told what risks were relevant to you, what happened during or after the surgery, and what harm you suffered.
If you’re concerned about what happened, keep copies of your medical records and letters about your treatment if you have them. Our expert team with experience in medical negligence and ophthalmology claims can look at the facts and explain whether you may have a claim.

If you’re concerned that you weren’t given enough information before eye surgery, you don’t have to work out what happened on your own. Our specialist medical negligence team can review your circumstances, including the information you were given and the impact of your treatment. We can explain whether you may have grounds for a claim and help you understand what your options are. Contact us today for a confidential discussion about your case.