Eye doctor sued for allegedly twice implanting wrong lens in cataract procedure

COVINGTON – An optometry clinic is being sued by a woman who claims she received the wrong implant twice from a doctor who directed her cataract correction surgery.

Carolyn Dufrene filed suit against Henry Haley M.D., Henry Haley Jr. M.D. LLC, Germer-Haley LLC, Eye Surgery Center of Louisiana, Jeffrey Silbernagel OD and Eye Care Surgery Center Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 29.

Dufrene asserts that on March 8, 2013 she came under the care of Haley and Silbernagel of Eye Care Surgery Center, located at 706 W. 15^th Ave. in Covington, due to deteriorating vision because of cataracts in both eyes. On May 29, 2013 the plaintiff contends she underwent surgery to implant a lens in her eye, but after the operation she suffered from eye pain and had difficulty seeing out of the eye before it was determined that the wrong lens had been implanted. Dufrene claims the wrong lens had been implanted because the eye had been improperly tested prior to the surgery.

The plaintiff alleges that on June 17, 2013 she underwent a second surgery on her left eye to install the proper implant and that afterward she continued to have difficulty seeing out of the eye. Dufrene claims that when she went to get a second opinion another doctor told her that the wrong lens had been inserted again resulting in her vision only being 20/400 and that she would need another corrective surgery or would have to wear glasses to correct her vision.

The defendant is accused of failing to properly maintain equipment, using faulty equipment, failing to read and interpret test results and failing to comply with the appropriate standard of care.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and distress, medical expenses, loss of life’s pleasures, loss of income and loss of vision.

Dufrene is represented by Frank E. Lamothe III of Covington-based Lamothe Law Firm LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division C Judge Richard A Swartz Jr.

Case no. 2014-12437.