Patient sues after syringe hits her in the eye during cataract surgery

An eye surgery patient has filed a personal injury lawsuit after she suffered permanent injuries to her eye when part of a syringe became dislodged, acted as a projectile and hit her eye during the surgery.

Audrey Asay filed suit against Alcon Research, Ltd. on Nov. 15 in federal court in New Orleans.

According to the lawsuit, a cataract surgery was performed on Asay's right eye on Nov. 16, 2010. During the procedure, an Alcon 27 gauge disposable irrigation cannula became dislodged from the syringe that it was attached to, which caused the cannula to act as a projectile, the suit claims.

The cannula entered Asay's eye through the surgical wound and punctured the posterior capsule, causing permanent injuries to her right eye.

The defendant is accused of negligence for the manufacture, distribution and selling of a defective product, for selling a product that did not perform as it was intended to perform and for allowing a defective product to be sold.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, medical expenses, permanent disability, disfigurement, interest and court costs.

Asay is represented by Houma attorney E. James Gaidry, Jr.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-02840