title: Liability for the treatment of anterior segment eye disease.
abstract: About 25% of large professional liability claims against optometrists involve misdiagnosis of anterior segment anomalies, most notably corneal abrasions (especially secondary to contact lens wear), tumors of the lid (principally basal cell carcinoma), pigmentary and angle-closure glaucoma, and, less commonly, anterior uveitis. Treatment of anterior segment eye disease is an infrequent cause of litigation involving optometrists. Potential causes of litigation include mismanagement of corneal abrasions and ocular foreign bodies, side effects of topical and systemic steroids, and adverse effects of glaucoma medications. In determining an optometrist's liability for care, a medical standard of care will be applied.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Classé
mesh_terms: D000869:Anterior Eye Segment; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice; D009907:Optometry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*