Ophthalmic negligence claims

If negligent eye care has affected your vision or overall eye health, you may be entitled to make an ophthalmic negligence claim. Our specialist team will support you through the process with care.

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Author

Francesca Paul

Partner, Group Action Lead

Reviewer

Alison Flaherty

Director of Clinical Negligence

Last Updated

19th July 2026

Can I make an ophthalmic negligence claim?

You may be able to make an ophthalmic negligence claim if you’ve suffered harm because an eye care professional or institution failed in their duty of care. This includes mistakes made in both NHS and private settings. The impact of negligent eye care can be life-changing – affecting your sight, your independence, your ability to work, and your confidence in everyday tasks.

We’re currently seeing a significant number of cases linked to delayed ophthalmic treatment. The College of Optometrists reported in January 2025 that 600,000 people were on NHS ophthalmology waiting lists – making it one of the biggest contributors to the NHS backlog. For conditions such as retinal detachment and glaucoma, delays in treatment can mean the difference between saving a patient’s sight and permanent, irreversible vision loss.

Ophthalmic negligence covers a wide range of situations. You may have suffered a misdiagnosis of a serious eye condition; like glaucoma, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration. Surgical errors in procedures such as cataract surgery, corneal transplants, or laser eye surgery can also give rise to a claim, as can incorrect prescriptions, failure to provide appropriate post-operative care, delays in treating eye infections, or harm caused by defective lens products.

If you’re unsure that your situation qualifies, it’s still worth speaking to us. In most cases you have three years to make a claim. We’ll always give you an honest assessment of whether you have a case, with no pressure and no obligation.

Example of an ophthalmic negligence claim

A patient attends their GP several times over a number of months reporting worsening vision and eye pressure. Their concerns are repeatedly dismissed and a referral to a specialist is not made. By the time glaucoma is diagnosed, significant and irreversible sight loss has already occurred. If an earlier referral would have prevented that damage, this could be a valid ophthalmic negligence claim.

Common ophthalmic negligence claims we support

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400+ specialists in our Medical Negligence team

What compensation can help with

Nurse holding the hand of a woman lying in a hospital bed

Funding the treatment and support you need to rebuild your life.

Compensation can be used to cover a broad range of needs, helping you to access specialist care you now need because of your injury. The financial impact of serious vision loss or impairment can be significant. You may have had to reduce your working hours, or stop working altogether. You might even need specialist devices or technology to help you manage daily tasks.

These costs can mount quickly, at a time when your focus should be on recovery.

A successful ophthalmic negligence claim could help fund:

Specialist eye treatment, surgery, and ongoing medical care
Adaptive technology and assistive devices for vision impairment
Rehabilitation and occupational therapy
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings, including future lost income
Home adaptations to support independent living
Travel and transport costs related to your treatment and recovery
Ongoing care and support needs

Understanding the potential value

We secured a six-figure settlement for a client whose condition became much worse following a delay in diagnosis of Dispersion Glaucoma. We’ll work with independent medical experts to understand the full detail of what you need, and fight for compensation that genuinely reflects that. The value of your claim will depend on the severity and permanence of your vision loss, the impact on your ability to work, the cost of specialist treatment and equipment you’ll need, and your wider care needs going forward. Cases involving permanent or near-total vision loss can result in significant settlements that reflect the long-term impact on your life.

Understanding interim payments

You shouldn’t have to delay getting the support you need. We understand that waiting for a claim to conclude can put real financial pressure on you and your family – particularly when you might need specialist equipment or treatment now. Where possible, we’ll seek interim payments on your behalf during the claims process, before the final settlement is reached. This can allow you to access adaptive technology, specialist care, or restorative treatment – without having to wait until your case is resolved.

Specialist ophthalmic negligence solicitors

Our team has extensive experience in complex ophthalmic negligence cases.

Why choose Fletchers Solicitors for your ophthalmic negligence claim?

Our expert medical negligence team is dedicated to helping clients recover compensation that reflects the impact of their eye injury on their life, career, and independence. Ophthalmic negligence compensation can help fund specialist treatment, restorative surgery, and necessary lifestyle adjustments after negligent eye care. We fight tirelessly to hold healthcare providers accountable and to push for improvements in ophthalmic care to prevent future negligence.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist medical negligence solicitors with significant experience in ophthalmic and eye injury claims
We handle more medical negligence claims than any other law firm in the UK
Currently representing clients affected by delayed NHS ophthalmic treatment, surgical errors, misdiagnosis
Strong relationships with independent clinical experts and ophthalmic specialists who support our cases
Investigating claims related to ophthalmology care at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Committed to accountability – we push for systemic improvements in eye care, not just individual outcomes
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 this means for you.

Losing your sight, even partially, can affect every aspect of your life. Everyday tasks that once felt simple can suddenly feel impossible. It can have a huge impact on your independence, your wellbeing and the ability to enjoy your hobbies and passions as you once did. It is natural to feel frightened and uncertain about the future.

We also know that the financial consequences of vision loss can be overwhelming. If you’ve had to reduce your hours or stop working, the loss of income can create immediate pressure. To aid your recovery, you may need to access specialist equipment, ongoing treatment, and adaptations to your home – which can all add to the burden at a time when your energy should be focused on recovery.

Many of the clients we support felt exactly the same uncertainty when they first came to us. Often, they were not sure whether they had a case, or if anyone could be held accountable for their losses. We understand this, and we want to take some of the load off your shoulders.

When you pursue a case with us, we’ll handle the legal process, keep you informed at every stage, and fight to secure compensation that genuinely reflects everything your injury has taken from you. You don’t need to have all the answers to begin – just get in touch and we’ll guide you from there.

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FAQs about ophthalmic negligence claims

What is ophthalmic negligence?

When medical professionals and institutions fail in their duty of care, the consequences can be devastating, leading to permanent vision loss, impaired sight, or the need for additional treatment.

Ophthalmic negligence, occurs when errors in eye care lead to avoidable harm. This can happen in both NHS and private settings and may involve misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or surgical mistakes.

We have successfully represented clients who have suffered due to:

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of serious eye conditions, including glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration
Surgical errors in procedures such as cataract surgery, corneal transplants, and laser eye surgery
Incorrect prescriptions for glasses, contact lenses, or medication
Failure to provide appropriate post-operative care, leading to complications
Delay in treating eye infections, leading to vision loss
Defective lens products

How long does an ophthalmic negligence claim take?

More complex cases, particularly those involving permanent vision loss or disputes over liability, can take longer. We’ll give you a realistic picture of the likely timescale early in the process and keep you updated throughout. Every case is different, and the time it takes will depend on the complexity of your situation, the evidence available, and whether the other party accepts liability. Some straightforward cases can be resolved within 12 to 18 months.

What evidence is needed for an ophthalmic negligence claim?

Building a strong ophthalmic negligence case typically involves gathering your medical records, obtaining independent expert opinion from a specialist in ophthalmology, and documenting the impact of your injury on your daily life and finances. We’ll handle the evidence-gathering process on your behalf – you’ll not need to chase hospitals or medical providers yourself. Our team will also instruct independent clinical experts to review your care and confirm where the standard of treatment fell short.

What support is offered during my ophthalmic negligence claim?

Where appropriate, we’ll also seek early interim payments to help cover the cost of specialist treatment, adaptive equipment, or other immediate needs while your claim is ongoing. You’ll always have a named contact you can reach when you need to. From the moment you contact us, we’ll assign you a specialist solicitor who will guide you through the process step by step. We’ll explain clearly what is happening at each stage, what we need from you, and what to expect next.

Can I claim if I am not sure whether negligence caused my injury?

Yes – uncertainty is very common at the start of a claim, and it is exactly why we offer a free case assessment. You don’t need to have already established that negligence occurred. We’ll review your situation, obtain expert medical opinion if needed, and give you an honest assessment of whether you have a viable claim. There is no pressure and no obligation at any stage of that initial conversation.

Can I claim for delayed NHS ophthalmic treatment?

In some circumstances, yes. If you experienced a delay in receiving eye care through the NHS and that delay caused avoidable harm – for example, significant vision loss that earlier treatment would’ve prevented – you may have grounds for a claim. We’re currently seeing a significant number of cases linked to NHS ophthalmology waiting times, and we have experience supporting clients through this specific type of claim. We’ll assess your situation honestly and advise on whether your case meets the legal threshold.

How much could my ophthalmic negligence claim be worth?

The value of your claim depends on a number of factors, including the severity and permanence of your vision loss, the impact on your ability to work and earn, the cost of specialist treatment and equipment you’ll need, and your ongoing care requirements. We’ll work with independent experts to build a full picture of your needs and fight for compensation that truly reflects the impact of what has happened to you. We’ll give you an indication of the likely range of your claim as your case develops.

What is No Win No Fee?

No Win, No Fee means you can pursue your claim without any upfront financial risk. If your case is unsuccessful, you’ll not be charged for our legal fees. If your case succeeds, our fees are covered as part of the settlement. We’ll explain exactly how this works before you commit to anything, so you can make a fully informed decision about whether to proceed.