20 Feb 2023 • An eye surgeon and the associated hospital have been cleared of charges of medical negligence after treating a patient who had a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, according to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). The NCDRC bench dismissed the suit after citing the expert opinion provided by the AIIMS medical board, despite the patient's claims that the doctor had incorrectly declared him "fit to fly" following the procedure, causing irreparable damage to his eye. The patient experienced "Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment" which resulted in blurred vision in the left eye and dim peripheral vision. Thus, the patient was advised to have surgery for a retinal detachment by the doctor. Following the surgery, the surgeon injected a gas bubble of perfluoropropane (C3F8) into the left eye to press the retina firmly against the eye wall. The complainant experienced considerable discomfort in his left eye when boarding the flight to San Francisco, California. He was unable to see out of his left eye, and the pain only became worse. The doctor and the hospital, on the other hand, denied being negligent. Responding to the recommendation to be "fit to fly," the doctor said that he had instructed the patient to visit a retina specialist in 10 days, and that "fit to fly" was included in the prescription. However, the doctor said that the complainant made his trip arrangements to San Francisco without consulting the Retina Specialist. The complaint against the doctor and the hospital was dismissed by the Apex Consumer Court after taking into account the arguments made by both parties and consulting with AIIMS Medical Board.

Source: Medical Dialogues | Read full story