Botox and Filler Recommendations
Cosmetic botulinum toxin and/or filler injections are frequently administered in ophthalmology practices. Sometimes, ophthalmologists are asked to provide them at a spa or “botulinum toxin and/or filler party” at a private home. The recommendations in Botox and Fillers are designed to promote patient safety and reduce the physician’s liability exposure.
Amblyopia Risk Reduction: Download Recommendations, Treatment Agreement, and Referral Report
Medical malpractice lawsuits for negligent treatment of amblyopia are infrequent, but the risk to the pediatric patient’s vision is extreme. If not treated appropriately by age nine, the child can have permanent vision loss. The main risk issue is noncompliance with patching and follow-up appointments.
See OMIC’s risk management recommendation guide below.
Amblyopia Risk Reduction
See OMIC’s sample treatment agreement, and referral report below.
Sample Amblyopia Treatment Agreement and Referral Report
AAO prescribing recommendations for Latisse
To supplement OMIC’s Latisse resources, we encourage ophthalmologists and patients to visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s What You Should Know About Latisse page of the EyeSmart education site.
Download the Academy’s position paper on Latisse using the toolbar above.
Hemorrhage Associated with Ophthalmic Procedures
OMIC claims data indicates that ophthalmologists who do not properly screen patients for bleeding risks and manage hemorrhage when it occurs often face malpractice lawsuits. An OMIC closed case study of hemorrhage following blepharoplasty that resulted in a large settlement is presented to highlight errors in management that led to blindness and a subsequent lawsuit. Other parts of this article address how to screen patients for bleeding risk, monitor for hemorrhage, and begin to manage an orbital compartment syndrome.
We would like to thank OMIC Board member Dr. Ronald Pelton for his assistance with these documents.
OMIC risk management recommendations: Hemorrhage and Ophthalmic Procedures
Anticoagulant form for patients
Traumatic Eye Injuries
Allegations of failure to diagnose are common in medical malpractice lawsuits against ophthalmologists. This document will focus on traumatic eye injuries, and follow a patient who was referred to an ophthalmologist with a history of being struck in the eye with metal when a screwdriver shattered a screw. There was a delay in diagnosing a metallic foreign body. The resulting endophthalmitis could not be successfully treated, and the patient required an enucleation and prosthesis.
See OMIC’s risk management recommendations below.
