BELLEVILLE – A patient is suing Quantum Vision Center in Swansea after complications following cataract surgery allegedly led to the loss of one of his eyes.
Plaintiffs Ralph and Lynda Kudrak filed a lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against defendants Donald Unwin, M.D. and JFJ Eyecare LTD, doing business as Quantum Vision Center, citing negligence and carelessness.
According to the lawsuit, Unwin is a licensed physician. He allegedly diagnosed Ralph Kudrak with cataracts in both eyes and recommended cataract surgery over a period of time for each eye. On Jan. 16, 2020, Unwin allegedly placed a strong antibiotic known as Vancomycin into Kudrak's right eye during the first cataract surgery. Kudrak alleges Unwin did not inform him of the potential for complications related to the antibiotic, including hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis (HORV).
Kudrak claims that eight days after the surgery, he began experiencing vision difficulties in his right eye. He returned to Quantum Vision and saw a different doctor, Dr. Wayne Dudley, who allegedly determined that a vein in the back of Kudrak's right eye was forming a clot and bleeding.
Then on Jan 27, 2020, Dr. Levant Akduman diagnosed Kudrak with HORV. A series of examinations, injections and surgeries over the next 20 months failed to correct the issue and Kudrak ultimately lost his eye on Aug. 31, 2021, the suit states. He was fitted for a prosthetic eye on Nov. 19, 2021, which has caused him physical, mental and emotional pain.
The lawsuit states that Unwin was negligent in using Vancomycin in the initial surgery, failed to inform Kudrak of the potential complications of the antibiotic, failed to inform him of alternative medication, failed to timely recognize and treat his HORV, and failed to take proper precautions to prevent HORV.
Kudrak claims that because of the defendant's negligence, he has suffered permanent injury and disability, severe emotional and mental anguish, pain, suffering and loss of depth perception. He also claims his injury will impact his ability to enjoy a normal life and earn income. Furthermore, because of the loss of his right eye, he can no longer undergo cataract surgery for his left eye due to increased complications. Kudrak claims he now lives in fear that he will lose vision in his left eye, leaving him completely blind.
Lynda Kudrak alleges that as a result of the incident, she has been deprived of her husband's consortium, society, services, companionship, comfort, care, intimacy, love, affection, and support.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by attorney Stephen C. Buser of the Law Office of Stephen C. Buser, LTD in Columbia.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0570