There are a few clear signs of retinopathy of prematurity. Possible signs of the condition include white pupils, abnormal eye movements, severe nearsightedness, and crossed eyes. While more extreme cases of retinopathy of prematurity are known to cause symptoms such as these, the majority of signs are difficult to detect.
Even some general doctors may fail to notice the signs of the condition when a baby is born. A specialized eye doctor can perform detailed tests of a child’s eye to determine the extent of their retinopathy of prematurity.
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Retinopathy of Prematurity Treatments
As the National Eye Institute (NEI) points out, there is some good news for parents who have a child with retinopathy of prematurity. Roughly 90 percent of cases are mild and require no intervention. Infants with more severe cases of the condition can benefit from a variety of treatment methods.
However, those who suffer from retinopathy of prematurity are at risk for vision problems such as nearsightedness, crossed eyes, and even a permanent loss of vision. A quick and accurate diagnosis is necessary to prevent the condition from causing any further problems in a newborn baby’s vision.
Medical professionals have a responsibility to diagnose and address conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity. Unfortunately, there are a variety of mistakes that can cause a misdiagnosis of the condition. If a doctor does not perform proper exams to check for retinopathy of prematurity, a child may suffer from a lack of treatment.
Similarly, certain medical interventions have been known to cause or worsen the state of the condition in some children. These acts of medical malpractice should be addressed. As a parent, you have the right to seek justice for a medical professional’s negligence or reckless behavior.
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Medical Malpractice and Retinopathy of Prematurity
If you have reason to believe that a medical professional behaved negligently, you have the right to pursue justice. When you decide to take legal action, a lawyer can begin by investigating the details of your child’s condition.
In this stage of your case, your lawyer will get to work on collecting evidence. The following are possible forms of evidence that your legal team may collect:
- Medical records
- Timeline of events before and after birth
- Healthcare documentation
- Eyewitness reports
- Care records and historical reports of a medical practice or facility
Your lawyer may request records of the tests your doctor performed after your child’s birth. In many cases, conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity are detectable with timely tests and exams.
Childhood blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity is avoidable. An ophthalmologist can perform a simple screening test within a few weeks after birth and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
According to a study from the World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, about 10 percent of infants who undergo screening require treatment. The impact of a doctor’s failure to perform tests like these can be felt for many years to come, especially if their inaction causes permanent blindness in a child.
Pursuing Financial Compensation
When pursuing any forms of financial compensation that may be available to you, your lawyer will consider many factors. They will examine the role of the medical professionals involved in your child’s care, but they will also look at any local, state, or federal laws that may impact your case.
Throughout your case, your lawyers will keep you updated as they communicate with any parties involved in your case. They will seek to recover any eligible forms of financial compensation that you may be able to receive for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, psychological trauma, and other forms of recoverable damages.
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The signs of retinopathy of prematurity are not always easy to detect. When you realize your child has retinopathy of prematurity, it is natural to feel confused and frustrated. Medical malpractice cases can be emotionally and mentally draining to take on alone. With a lawyer working on your side, you can invest your energy into focusing on your family.
A lawyer who accepts cases involving birth injuries and medical malpractice can stand by your side and process the details of your case. When you work with the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we will communicate with any relevant parties related to your case on your behalf. Our team will lead the charge for justice as we collect evidence, establish a liable party, and go after any potential forms of financial compensation that you may be eligible to recover.
For a free case review, contact the office at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
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