Malpractice Claims in Ophthalmology: A 10-Year Review

Objectives: In the literature, there are a limited number of studies related to medical litigation in ophthalmology. We aimed to reveal\udand discuss the profile of medical malpractice claims and liability of clinicians involved in ophthalmology cases.\udMaterials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1531 malpractice claims reported by the Supreme Health Council of Turkey\udbetween 1991 and 2000; 59 (3.85%) were related to ophthalmology, and 57 cases could be included in the study. Data including patients’\udage, sex, diagnoses, and malpractice claims of judgment, distribution of ophthalmologic subspecialties and results of surgical/medical\udinterventions, and the distribution of liability of health workers in these reports were collected.\udResults: Most frequently encountered ophthalmologic events which resulted in malpractice claims were: cataract surgery ranked\udfirst with 19 malpractice claims (33.3%) followed by traumatic injuries of the eye (15.8%), and erroneous reporting (15.8%). Health\udpersonnel were found at fault in 38.6% of the claims. Of the cases, 36.8% were placed in private clinics and hospitals. Lack of care was\udmostly observed in state hospitals than in private ones. Medicolegal autopsy was performed on 6 of the cases among 8 deaths.\udConclusion: These findings would contribute to the data about the profile of medical malpractice claims related to ophthalmology.\udRevealing the data could be helpful for preventing malpractice claims and faults at similar medical conditions. (Turk J Ophthalmol\ud2014; 44: 1-5