Chicago Medical Malpractice: Ophthalmologist Barred from Performing Lasik Eye Surgeries in Illinois
Ophthalmologist Nicholas Caro is no longer allowed to perform Lasik eye surgeries or any other procedures that would change a patient’s cornea in the state of Illinois. The decision was handed down by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Caro’s medical license has also been suspended for 30 days and he is on probation for three years. He also has been ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. In addition to the refractory procedure lifetime ban, Caro can no longer perform intraocular procedures, including refractive lens exchange, corneal transplantation, and cataract surgery.
Caro has come under scrutiny in the wake of reports that since the late 1990’s he has been sued nearly 50 times for Chicago, Illinois medical malpractice. Illinois’s top medical prosecutor had even recommended in 2008 that Caro’s medical license be taken away because he allegedly mishandled Lasik procedures and neglected to properly handle patients’ post-operative treatment and complications. Despite these concerns, Caro has kept performing eye procedures on patients.
Lasik Sugery
Also called laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, this elective medical procedure is supposed to improve a person’s vision. A laser is used to change the cornea’s shape. 75% of eye doctors in the US that have performed this procedure in the last 25 years were sued under four times for medical malpractice during their careers. The Chicago Tribune says that out of over a dozen Chicago-area Lasik doctors, the most anyone had been sued for Cook County, Illinois ophthalmology malpractice was 12 times.
It goes without saying that severe eye injuries can drastically alter a person’s life. We need our eyes to do nearly everything. This is why it is so important that we have healthy eyes and that we let eye doctors examine them regularly. Unfortunately, eye care malpractice can happen, leading to vision loss, halos, double vision, eye infections, severe dry eye syndrome, retinal detachment, and other serious injuries.
State agency reprimands Chicago eye doctor, Chicago Tribune, February 19, 2010
Despite Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Over Botched Lasik Surgeries, Doctor Continues to Practice in Illinois, Chicago Injury Attorney Blog, July 8, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Lasik, FDA.gov
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Contact our Chicago, Illinois medical malpractice law firm to request your free case evaluation.
