BELLEVILLE – A patient is suing Quantum Vision Centers after cataract surgery left her blind in one eye.
Plaintiff Jayne Graves filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against JFJ Eyecare, LTD, doing business as Quantum Vision Centers, Donald R. Unwin, M.D., Enrique Peralta, M.D. and a Jane Doe, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, Graves presented herself to the Quantum Vision Center in Swansea for cataract surgery in May 2021. Employees at Quantum Vision diagnosed her with nearsightedness. The lawsuit states that patients with nearsightedness are at greater risk of having their retina detached following cataract surgery than the average patient. Unwin diagnosed Graves with a cataract on her left eye and allegedly recommended surgery, making no mention of any additional procedures that may be recommended due to her nearsightedness.
The lawsuit states that on June 24, 2021, Unwin performed cataract surgery on Graves. During the surgery, Unwin allegedly reprimanded Jane Doe, the anesthesiologist, for failing to properly sedate Graves. Jane Doe allegedly increased levels of sedation beyond what was proper for a woman of Graves' age, size and health.
After the surgery, Graves noticed discoloration in her vision and pain in her left eye and informed Quantum Vision staff. Despite her concerns, Quantum Vision employees allegedly failed to provide her any instruction or guidance. Later that evening, Graves was feeling extreme dizziness and went to the emergency room. The ER physicians reportedly diagnosed the cause of her condition as being over medicated during her surgery.
Graves states that during follow-up appointments, Unwin noted that everything looked normal and instructed Graves to return for further follow-ups as normal. According to Graves, she went completely blind in her left eye on Aug. 12, 2021. When she returned to Quantum Vision, Unwin and Peralta diagnosed her with a detached retina and referred her for treatment at a hospital. Graves states that she had to undergo emergency surgery to repair the injury to her left eye. Graves alleges that despite the emergency surgery, she remains blind in her left eye and continues to suffer complications requiring treatment to address the damage.
The lawsuit states that the defendants negligently failed to provide proper care to Graves, who was at greater risk of suffering a detached retina, failed to protect her from injury, failed to properly recognize the heightened risks of retinal detachment, failed to address her detached retina in a timely manner and failed to inform Graves of the severity of the injuries to her left eye.
Graves states that as a result of the defendants' negligence, her injuries have caused her to experience blindness in her left eye, pain, suffering and mental anguish. She alleges her injuries will impact her ability to enjoy a normal life. She adds that she has incurred medical expenses and will continue to require the services of medical staff to treat her injuries.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, court costs, attorney's fees and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Doug Stewart of The Stewart Law Group in Fairview Heights.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0749