Reducing the Risks Associated with Cataract Surgery Complications

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Cataract surgery complications account for 28% of medical malpractice claims among ophthalmologists insured by MagMutual. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, and while improvements in surgical techniques and lens implants in recent years have reduced the risk of complications, this procedure continues to pose a significant risk to physicians.

To help ophthalmologists reduce the occurrence of claims related to cataract surgery complications, MagMutual’s medical faculty and risk consultants have analyzed our claims data, determined the main causes of claims related to this issue and developed strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Top Risks

Top Strategies for Reduction

Based on these top risk drivers, implementing the following clinical and operational strategies can help you prevent unexpected outcomes and increase defensibility of a medical malpractice claim:

Clinical strategies

• Utilize a time-out at the beginning of each procedure to verify the correct side and also to verify that the correct implants are available. Also verify that the patient does not have any evidence of any recent onset blepharitis or other external eye infection.
• If the capsular bag is compromised during surgery, have an implant available that you can insert into the sulcus, if necessary. Ensure centration of any premium intraocular lens. Consider implanting an alternative lens if there’s been any compromise of the capsular bag.

Operational strategies

• Have other implants available in case complications occur during the surgery.
• Have a low threshold on seeing patients that call in after cataract surgery with any complaints, even if it is in the middle of the night.
• Make sure that you have adequate call coverage for emergency post-op patients.

Other Top Risks

Cataract surgery complications account for the most claims among ophthalmologists according to our data, but we’ve also identified several other drivers of loss based on claims frequency:

Risk Drivers by Top Cause

Risk Drivers by Frequency

Data Collection & Methodology

Data is based on MagMutual closed claims from 2011-2021 and corresponding exposure data. Clinical and non-clinical loss drivers are based on an in-depth review of each claim by a medical professional or clinical risk consultant. Risk reduction strategies are based on input from practicing physicians.