Man claims misdiagnosis caused blindness

A man has filed suit against Saint Anthony's Health Center and an unknown physician, alleging he went blind after the physician failed to correctly diagnose him.

Gary Trimm claims he visited Saint Anthony's on Dec. 21, 2007, with complaints of dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Trimm was admitted to the emergency room and stayed there until his Dec. 23, 2007, transfer to Christian Hospital Northeast, where he continued to suffer from blurred vision, headaches and dizziness, according to the complaint filed Nov. 2 in Madison County Circuit Court.

However, while Trimm was at Saint Anthony's, its doctor failed to check Trimm's eye pressure, failed to perform an eye exam of any type and failed to abide by proper medical treatment for Trimm's symptoms, the suit states. In addition, the doctor failed to prevent nerve damage to Trimm's eye, failed to consult an ophthalmological specialist, failed to include angle closure glaucoma in its diagnosis and failed to diagnose Trimm with angle closure glaucoma, the complaint says.

As a result, Trimm claims he lost sight in both of his eyes, incurred medical costs, lost wages and experienced pain and suffering.

In the two-count suit, Trimm is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Gary K. Burger Jr. of Cantor and Burger in St. Louis will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1177.