Eye injury claims

Eye injuries can have a serious impact on your sight and your day-to-day life. If your injury was the result of substandard care, you may be able to make an eye injury negligence claim. Our specialist clinical negligence team is here to guide you with clear advice and genuine support.

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Author

Christian Beadell

Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence

Last Updated

19th July 2026

Can I make an eye injury claim?

You may be able to make an eye injury negligence claim if you suffered avoidable harm because your eye condition was missed, delayed, or treated to a poor standard. This could include vision loss, impaired sight, or the need for further treatment that could have been avoided with appropriate care.

If you’ve suffered vision impairment or poor eye health because of negligent medical treatment, you might be feeling angry – and uncertain about your options. You may have a claim if your eye condition was missed by your eye specialist, if it was diagnosed too late or you were treated to a poor standard. This can include errors during cataract or laser eye surgery, problems with corneal procedures, delays in treating infections, incorrect prescriptions or complications linked to defective lens products.

Even if you’re not sure if negligence played a part, it is still worth speaking to us. You don’t need to know exactly what went wrong – it’s our job to guide you through this. Importantly, you can bring a claim against both NHS and private healthcare providers. We will review what happened and advise on your options.

Example of an eye injury claim

Imagine a patient who undergoes cataract surgery and, in the weeks that follow, develops worsening vision and persistent pain which is not the outcome they expected. If it emerges that the surgical technique used was incorrect and that warning signs of complications were not acted on, this could be a valid medical negligence eye injury claim.

Related eye injury claims we support

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What compensation can help with

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Supporting your recovery and helping you move forward.

Securing compensation after an eye injury can help you manage the practical and emotional impact of changes to your sight. When your vision has been affected by negligent care, you may need specialist treatment, support with daily tasks and adjustments to help you stay independent. Compensation can make sure you have access to the right help at the right time.

A successful eye injury claim may help fund:

Specialist eye treatment and further surgery
Rehabilitation and vision support therapies
Adaptive technology and specialist equipment
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings, both current and future
Care costs and support with daily living
Travel and transport costs related to your recovery and treatment

Understanding the potential value

The value of an eye injury claim will depend on the severity of your vision loss, how it affects your daily life and independence, and the treatment or support you now need. Every case is assessed individually. As an example, we secured £75,000 for a client who suffered a corneal injury after a hospital carried our cataract surgery using an incorrect approach. The settlement helped cover the cost of further treatment, rehabilitation and the wider impact on their life.

Understanding special and general damages

Your eye injury claim settlement is built on general damages and special damages. General damages compensates for the non-financial impact of your injury, including pain and suffering and the effect on your day-to-day life. Special damages cover the specific financial losses you’ve faced as a result of your injury. That might include medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, or lost income and travel expenses. Our team will make sure both damage types are carefully calculated and properly reflected in your claim.

Specialist eye injury negligence solicitors

Why choose Fletchers Solicitors for your eye injury claim?

When your sight has been affected by negligent care, it’s important to have a team around you that understands both the physical and emotional impact of your injury. We specialise in medical negligence cases and work closely with clinical experts to build a full picture of your experience and build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We’ll guide you through your claim and keep you informed at every stage. You will not be facing this alone.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist medical negligence solicitors with significant experience in eye injury and ophthalmic negligence claims
Able to bring claims against both NHS and private healthcare providers
Experience securing settlements including six-figure awards for clients with serious vision loss
Currently acting in group actions, including claims related to faulty EyeCee One lenses
Access to leading independent medical experts to support your case
Clear, honest communication throughout – so you always know where your claim stands
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we have supported
No win, no fee – so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you’re going through.

Losing or seriously damaging your sight affects far more than your vision. We’ve seen first-hand how an eye injury can make life feel impossible to face. A loss of vision or poor eye health can impact your independence and the way you manage everyday tasks. It can have an impact on your self-confidence and general wellbeing – which can be just as significant as the physical injury.

For many people, there is also a deep sense of injustice. You trusted medical professionals to help you – and something went wrong. Coming to terms with that is incredibly difficult, and we have supported many people who felt exactly this way. We know how important it is to reach a sense of justice and closure.

From your first conversation with us, we will take the time to understand your situation and explain your options clearly. We want to help you find a resolution, and if you have a valid claim, we will handle every part of the process and keep you informed throughout. We will work to secure compensation that reflects the true impact on your life.

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FAQs about eye injury claims

Can I claim if my eye surgery was private rather than NHS?

Yes. You can make a medical negligence eye injury claim whether your treatment was provided by the NHS or a private healthcare provider. Our solicitors are experienced in handling claims against both, and the process for establishing negligence is the same in either case. If you believe you suffered harm following private eye surgery, speak to our team and we will assess your situation honestly.

How long does a medical negligence eye injury claim take?

There is no single answer, as it depends on the complexity of your case. Some claims settle within 18 months; more complex cases – particularly those involving significant vision loss or disputed medical evidence – can take longer. We will always be transparent with you about the likely timescale and what to expect at each stage. It is important not to rush a medical negligence claim – taking the time to build the strongest possible case is essential to securing the outcome you deserve.

What evidence do I need to make an eye injury claim?

Your legal team will gather the evidence needed to support your claim. This typically includes:

Medical records and clinical notes

Independent expert medical opinion

Documentation of your injuries, such as photographic evidence

Statements from you and, where relevant, others

A timeline of your medical appointments and treatment

You do not need to gather all of this yourself. We will handle the evidence-gathering process on your behalf.

What if my vision was already impaired?

You may still be able to claim. Negligent treatment can worsen an existing condition or accelerate a decline in vision. Compensation can reflect the additional harm you suffered. We will review your medical history and explain your options.

How long do I have to make an eye injury claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your injury – or from the date you first became aware that your injury may have been caused by negligence – to bring a claim. This is known as the ‘date of knowledge’ rule.

There are exceptions. If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the injury, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. Different rules also apply where a person lacks the mental capacity to bring a claim themselves.

If you are unsure whether you are still within the time limit, speak to us as soon as possible. Acting early gives us the best chance of building a strong case.

Can I claim if I was partly at fault for my eye injury?

In a medical negligence claim, the question of fault relates to whether a medical professional failed to meet the required standard of care – not to your own actions as a patient. If a healthcare provider made an error that caused or contributed to your injury, you may still have a valid claim. We will assess your individual circumstances and advise you honestly on the strength of your case.

How much will it cost to make an eye injury claim?

We handle eye injury claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee is deducted from your final settlement – this will be explained clearly to you before you proceed. There is no financial risk in speaking to us about your situation.

What if I am not sure negligence occurred?

Many people come to us unsure whether their care was negligent. You do not need certainty before speaking to us. We will review your medical records, obtain independent expert evidence and explain whether you have a case.