Woman claims eye doctor's failure to diagnose infection led to blindness

A woman is suing an ophthalmologist who she alleges failed to diagnose an infection, requiring a corneal transplant that led her to become blind in one eye.

Darleen Harrington filed suit July 23 in Cook County Circuit Court against Dr. Marshall Hirshman and Suburban Eye Consultants SC, doing business as the Midwest Center for Sight.

According to the complaint, Harrington went to the defendants on Jan. 18 with complaints of burning and pain in her right eye. Following examination, the suit alleges Hirshman noted severe redness with a corneal erosion, but did not diagnose her with a right eye infection.

Harrington claims that when she returned for a follow-up exam on Jan. 24, a different physician determined she suffered from a right corneal ulcer that required a right corneal transplant.

She accuses the defendants of failing to prescribe her antibiotic eye drops and antiviral medications and not scheduling an appointment for her to see a corneal specialist.

As a result of the defendants' alleged negligence, the suit states Harrington's transplant, which she underwent at a different clinic, was unsuccessful and she is now blind in her right eye.

Harrington is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and is represented by Chicago attorney John G. Kelly of the Law Offices of John G. Kelly P.C.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L007702.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.