I am part of a test study, 350+/- in the U.S. for
lens implants to correct severe nearsightness. During surgery in Feb. on the right eye the wrong mixture was sent up from the pharmacy and I was given drops that are only used as a topical. As a result I was completely blind in the eye 10+/- minutes after surgery. My cornea was so swollen the doctor could not see my pupil, even with instrumentation. To shorten the story whose details I can fill in later if you would like me too... After drops, prete forte every hour around the clock for 3 days, then every hour during the day and every other hour while sleeping(yeah, that was fun!) then another 3 weeks of drops decreasing to 1 every hour gradually tapering off to once a day the cornea looked fairly normal, with much improved vision. My pupil remained dialated for 6+/-weeks so I had no night vision in the eye during this time. Again, the following is abreviated but, prior to surgery my vision was -13.50(contacts) with a slight stigmatizm, but no pain; except that caused by my contact; no halos, cataracts or need for bi-focals in either eye. (I am 42) I now have 2 small cat. on either side of my(not implanted) lens and need bi-focals for that eye but not the non-surgical eye. I have been told that I may have problems that can manifest themselves anywhere from now to 5 years down the road, including but not limited to total blindness, all due to the corneas cells injury from the solution. The cataract and bi-focal requirment seems to baffel everyone and over the past week or so I have started to notice what seems to be a mild hazyness if I am in a dark room looking at a light/T.V. etc. I go back Nov. 19 to Baltimore to have a cell count performed and overall look see. Now... can anyone suggest what questions I need to ask, what might be the source of the afore mentioned problems and what compensation may be adequate or required to protect me for potential and current problems. Thanks for any info available

I am so sorry for what sounds like a very difficult experience. I am happy that your vision has recovered enough for you to function and I hope your vision and symptoms continue to improve.
Having no experience in any situation even close to what you have described, I would certainly talk with your doctors and get second opinions as to how you are at this moment and what further complications or problems you might have. Thankfully I have never participated in the legal arena before so I would not know what to mention to you. Obviously your doctor must feel worse than horrible - as his/her goal with surgery was to help you see better. For myself, I know that the incredible positive impact I can make in peoples lives is what makes my job as an eye surgeon so great.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Yes my doctor was very upset at the time and kept me 2 extra days in Baltimore for observation.
I am not looking for financial gain or retribution in this case. I am looking for answers or guidance on questions to ask about potential problems and the assurance that any problems down the road will be taken care of, including possible cornea transplant. Any other implant study people out there?