If you believe you have a loss of sight compensation claim or loss of an eye compensation claim, it’s imperative you speak with a medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible. Losing your sight, whether that’s fully or partially, is a traumatic experience that will create life-long practical and emotional challenges for the victim. Bringing a medical negligence loss of sight claim will help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Examples of medical negligence loss of sight claims

  • Failure by a GP to recognise signs and symptoms of impending visual crisis and to refer a patient to hospital in time for vision to be saved, for example, failure to spot retinal detachment and make an urgent referral to an eye specialist for surgery. 

  • Failure in hospital to correctly diagnose what is wrong with the eye, resulting in a missed opportunity to provide curative treatment.

  • Where there has been inappropriate advice given concerning treatment options, and the risks and benefits of the various options.

  • Poor laser eye treatment, or other corrective eye surgery, leading to partial, or even complete, loss of the eyesight and in some cases, the actual eye itself.
  • Acute glaucoma is a painful red eye condition that requires immediate referral to a specialist. Urgent medication is required to lower eye pressure and reduce inflammation, and failure to do so can lead to severe loss of vision. 

  • Corneal infections are potentially sight-threatening if not recognised or left untreated.

  • Orbital cellulitis is a potentially sight-threatening condition caused by some common infections. Patients often present, with severe pain, very swollen red eyelids and fever. A failure to refer urgently to an ophthalmologist for treatment with systemic antibiotics and analgesia may result in loss of vision from central retinal artery occlusion or optic nerve inflammation.

  • Trauma to the eye is commonly seen in the Emergency Department. A failure to recognise a perforating or penetrating injury to the eye can result in severe loss of vision or loss of the eye due to the eye being left with an open wound which can lead rapidly to sight-threatening infection if not referred immediately to eye casualty.
  • A chemical burn to the eye can cause serious injury if not treated quickly. The affected eye should be thoroughly irrigated or washed out as soon as possible. Failure to refer to an eye specialist for assessment and treatment may lead to worsening vision loss. 

Why Choose Us?

We’ve handled many different types of medical negligence cases and provided expert advice for over 30 years.

  • We offer FREE, no obligation legal advice all throughout
  • Our processes are hassle free & we handle all the paperwork
  • We won't charge you a penny until your case has been settled

Our loss of eyesight claims expert:

Christine Brown

Director and Senior Solicitor

The types of eyesight claims we often help with:

Eye Surgery Claims 

Eye surgery claims are another type of eyesight claim we can help with. Here are some eye surgery claims that can result in loss of vision:

  • Incorrect placement of lens during cataract surgery causing uveitis, glaucoma, and loss of vision.
  • Errors in performing YAG laser capsulotomy, resulting in glare. 
  • Errors in biometry resulting in refractive error.
  • Delay in diagnosis of retinald detachment in vulnerable patient, resulting in loss of sight in one eye.
  • Delay in diagnosis and treatment of orbital cellulitis due to bacterial infection, causing loss of vision.
  • Surgical error during an eye surgery, causing damage to nerves or blood vessels, resulting in loss of vision.
  • Failure to fully advise on risks and benefits of elective eye surgery, resulting loss of vision.

Eye Injury Claims

Any eye trauma, including a forceful blow to the eye or a penetrating or perforating injury, should be treated as an emergency. Eye trauma can cause complications such as retinal detachment, bleeding in the eye, damage to the optical nerve (glaucoma), ruptured globe (usually the sclera (white part) and cornea), and cataracts. A failure by an ED doctor to refer to an ophthalmologist for immediate assessment and surgical repair, if necessary, can lead to loss of vision and, in some cases, loss of the eye.

Complications from eye injury such as retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataracts may not be apparent for months. The patient should be kept under review and failure to do so can lead to loss of vision.

Loss of Vision Compensation 

What is claimed for loss of eyesight?

Loss of eyesight compensation can be significant, depending on the extent of the injuries suffered.

Below is a summary of the range of loss of vision compensation that can be awarded. This information is a guide for the value of pain, suffering and loss of amenity (all known in legal terms as ‘General Damages’).

However, the value of a loss of sight claim is not only calculated by assessing the injuries, but also by looking at your past financial losses, and any future financial losses you will continue to suffer. For this reason, it is vital you have the best medical solicitor to fight on your behalf. Your claim should not be settled at an undervalue by inexperienced lawyers.

If you have suffered financial losses, as well as physical injury, then your claim may be worth a lot more than the figures below. We work hard to ensure our clients achieve the best possible outcome.

Here are some examples of damages you may be able to claim for due to loss of eyesight:

  • Pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
  • Psychological distress and suffering, including mental health challenges.
  • Adaptations to your home to navigate rooms differently.
  • Additional medical expenses, therapy expenses and care expenses (whether this involves a professional carer, family member or friend).
  • Travel expenses (for example, to optometrist appointments due to loss of sight).
  • Loss of income, including past and future financial losses.
  • Time and expenses incurred learning Braille, how to use specialist equipment (such as screen readers) and/or how to work with a guide dog.

 

What is the amount of compensation for loss of eyesight?

The figures in the table below are based on tariffs laid down by the Judicial College Guidelines and are figures applicable as at November 2022.

Loss of Sight Claim Compensation Value
Total blindness and deafness In the region of £403,990
Total blindness In the region of £268,720
Loss of sight in one eye with reduced vision in remaining eye, with risk of further deterioration of remaining eye £95,990 - £179,770
Loss of sight in one eye with reduced vision in remaining eye £63,950 - £105,990
Total loss of one eye £54,830 - £65,710
Complete sight loss in one eye £49,270 - £54,830
Serious but incomplete loss of vision in one eye £23,680 - £39,340
Minor but permanent impairment of vision in one eye £9,110 - £20,980
Minor eye injuries £3,950 - £8,730
Transient eye injuries £2,200 - £3,950

 

Is blind in one eye considered legally blind?

In the UK, you cannot be registered as blind or severely sight impaired unless you have significant sight loss in your other eye. Regardless, you can certainly seek compensation for blindness in one eye due to medical negligence. This figure can range from about £9,110 to £65,710 (as at November 2022), depending on the severity of your injury and additional factors. 

What is the time limit for loss of sight claims?

The time limit (also referred to as the ‘limitation period’) for a loss of sight claim is three years from the date of the negligent treatment or the date you discovered the negligent treatment. This is the same time limit for all medical negligence claims, and we always advise to begin your claim as early on as possible. There are some exceptions to this limitation period, and please don’t hesitate to contact us even if you’re concerned about the  limitation period.. It is possible to ask the Court for permission to go ahead out of time in some circumstances.

Learn more about medical negligence time limits in our dedicated guide.

Contact Medical Solicitors Today

If you believe you have a loss of sight compensation claim, please do contact our friendly team of specialist lawyers. We offer free, no obligation legal advice throughout. Plus, we conduct most of our medical negligence claims under Conditional Fee Agreements, also known as ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreements.

Claims in medical negligence need the best specialist solicitors, who have a proven track record. To decide the full extent of the value of your claim, we will arrange to have your sight loss injuries assessed and to instruct appropriate medical experts. A good case can fail simply by instructing the wrong expert. We have an extensive register of medico-legal experts who will prove the injury you have suffered, how you have suffered it, how you have been affected and what the future holds for you.

Together, we can ensure that you get any further medical treatment that you need. We will help get you back on the road to recovery, as far as possible, with financial support for the past and the future. Please also read our comprehensive loss of eyesight support guide where we share practical steps for adapting to your new lifestyle and support groups you may want to connect with.

 

How Medical Solicitors Can Help You

We have been supporting and winning compensation for our clients for over two decades. Operating throughout the UK, we have a team of 15 friendly staff, made up of qualified solicitors, legal executives, legal assistants and administrative staff who are here to listen and guide you through your clinical and medical negligence claim.
  • We offer FREE, no obligation advice

  • We can help determine if you have a claim

  • We help you get your claim started and guide you throughout

  • We offer help, advise, get answers and secure justice for our clients

  • We offer No Win, No Fee agreements

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Get in touch

What’s Our Process

Medical Solicitors operates very differently from most other law firms. We won’t ask you to sign a contract straight away. First, we will take the time to understand your case, gather information, advise on the way forward, and if we believe you have a claim, offer a No Win, No Fee agreement.
  • Talk to us

    A claim starts with a no-obligation chat. We want to understand your case and if we can help. This can be done by email or telephone whichever you prefer.
  • We Advise

    We will advise you on the way forward. Whether that is raising a complaint with the health provider initially, or proceeding straight to obtaining medical records.
  • We Investigate

    A senior member of our team will review your case and decide if we can further investigate your claim for you.
  • We Take Action

    If we believe there is a case to investigate. We will offer you a NO Win, No Fee agreement.
  • We Keep you Informed

    As we progress your claim, we will keep you informed every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are our most frequently asked questions about loss of eyesight claims claims: