Waking Up Blind: Lawsuits Over Eye Surgery: The Shocking Story of Blinded Eyes and the Hospital Politics That Allowed It

by Tom Harbin MD

Imagine trusting a doctor—with the best reputation for treating eye disease in the state—to do surgery on your eyes. Now imagine the worst outcomes. Blindness in an eye that you learn, in fact, never needed surgery. And the medical center where you were treated is ignoring the problem.

This is the story of how an eye surgeon—respected, admired, and lauded with the highest praise—became the cause of an array of medial problems for his patients. It is also the story of how one of the nation's premier medical centers tried to conceal the growing scandal. The faculty who exposed the problems were punished. Official committees and the university leaders minimized the misconduct. Slowly, lawsuits and publicity brought some to light in bits and pieces. Now the whole story is being told.



With the use of court documents, transcripts of tape- recorded conversations, interviews, and personal observation, Dr. Tom Harbin presents this case from the very beginning, uncovering all levels of wrongdoing and secrecy. Walking Up Blind will shock the reader with its candid exploration of the dark side of medicine.



“Waking Up Blind is a riveting, true story that reads like a novel. While my novels deal with fictional medical disasters, Dr. Harbin spins a devastating, real-life account that will make the reader forever wary of the charming, super doctor.”

—Robin Cook, author of Coma and Outbreak



“Waking Up Blind is an astonishing book of great courage and an even greater passion for seeking—and telling—the truth.” —Pat Conroy, author of The Prince of Tides



“This frightening story is the must-read book of the year. I simply could not put it down, then it stayed with me long after I had turned the last page.”

—Cassandra King, author of The Sunday Wife

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Medicine

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2009

Reviews

[Riley Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a well-researched read and certainly compelling subject matter, the author appears so heavily biased from the onset it was difficult to build trust and rapport with the reader. As a colleague of Dr. Cavanaugh’s, it’s difficult to dissect how personal interaction may have colored the narrative.

[Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medical ethics is the bone marrow that animates & sustains the practice of medicine & the bedrock on which it rests is TRUTH. In this book almost every aspect of medical ethics is violated. Dr. Harbin does a brave & commendable job in presenting the true facts which have been recorded in depositions & legal
documents along with clearing the names & reputations of two heroic physicians who early on had tried to reveal the unethical events as they actually had happened..TRUTH ALWAYS!! ALWAYS TRUTH!!

Harry D. Carrozza,MD.,FACS.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down. Although it's a true story, it reads like a novel. Highly recommended.

[Raymond Wen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is quite infuriating that nothing really happens to Dr. Cavanagh except for public humiliation among peers and paying settlements. The violation of medical ethics and putting adults and children at risk of being blind or causing them blindness should have barred him from any medical practices yet he was free to lead yet another department.

I am very appreciative of Dr. Harbin for bringing this to light, to the public, and to the medical providers out there reading this. I applaud the physicians that stood up for what is right and revealed the ugliness of hospital politics. Medical politics should not exist, only high quality patient care should matter.

[Celeste Ollieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ophthalmologist without a conscience

Well documented lawsuits involving respected Ophthalmologist Dr. Cavannaugh at Emory who put profits ahead of patient care. Such a sad story for those who lost their sight to a man who obviously is so arrogant he couldn’t see he was to blame for their loss of vision. He totally didn’t seem to care about the poor or minorities so doing their surgeries last and with subpar corneas. That man should not have been able to continue any patient care after all the damage he had inflicted and money he stole for unnecessary procedures.

[Katlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve worked in ophthalmology for 9 years, at several different hospitals. I’m on the technician level in my job duties, but not a tech. Anyway, while this book is anger inducing, its contents do not surprise me in the least. I googled Dr. Cavanaugh with my co workers while discussing this book and was disappointed to read that he is still practicing and got off pretty light for what transpired. Medicine is very political, unfortunately. Great, albeit frustrating, read!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book! I am grateful to Tom Harbin for taking the time to write this book and to stand up for what's right.

[Tyler Cymet · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.washingtonindependentrevie...

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Dwight Cavanaugh should be in jail - or worse. This book will infuriate you.

[Jonny Malmrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book. Loved the messages about the need to be open to feedback and acknowledging your mistakes

[Joe Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was well researched and delivered a nice summary of some pretty questionable happenings in the Emory ophthalmology department in the 70-80s. Beyond that though it was redundant and boring. Also felt pretty one-sided and biased.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

True Crime is one of my favorite genres. And this book fits the bill. It all revolves around a egotistical eye surgeon who goes around operating on his patients eyes for what seems like notoriety. He is waiting for that one surgery that is going to catapult him into greatness. While the book does have a hint of bitterness to it, it is certainly understandable when you think of how one person's life has been drastically changed (partial blindness) by a doctor who couldn't care in the least bit.

The writing in this book is not your traditional sort. While well written, it is a re-telling of a medical malpractice incident and there are many details and players that need mentioning. For those who are into true crime or mystery this won't phase you.

It's amazing just how relevant this book is now. With such a focus on health care, this book really makes you take a step back and think about your own doctors. Are they in it for fame, or are they truly wanting to help you?

While we all know doctors stand behind each other, to read a real life account on how an entire hospital and its staff turned their back on this patient when she most needed answers, is astonishing. The author, Doctor Harbin, has really shined a light on this issue and just how many people face this on a daily basis.

The pain and uncertainty Dr. Cavanagh's (doctor in question) patients went though will haunt me for a while. Knowing this is a true account, it turns your stomach that a doctor can really believe his hands were a "gift from God". It's funny how as soon as someone you respect mentions a drastic thought, we tend to take their word as final. And some doctors, they prey on that.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading this and all I can say is WOW, the depths Dr.'s will go to to protect their OWN regardless of the damages they are causing to patients.

ALWAYS get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. Don't tell the other Dr.'s who the previous Dr. who gave diagnosis is so that the decision isn't biased.

************************
OK, this book is really a GOOD READ...it's a true story, but reads like a novel. I start reading an Excert from the Kindle Nation Blog and when I got to the end of that I just HAD to purchase the full version (half-price @ $4.99). I'm 50% through the book and I just can't stop reading it.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know, weird, right? I can't remember how I heard about it, but I like medical and legal staff, so I was curious. It's not the best written thing I've ever read, but it was still really interesting. Kind of true crime-ish. Plus this all happened in Atlanta during a time period right before I moved there in high school. It's amazing to realize that someone like the doctor described here was not only allowed to continue practicing until he was finally brought to court, but he's still practicing today.

[Kelly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest fan of true or historical accounts as the subject matter for my pleasure reading. However, this was lying around the lab I worked in, and I happened to pick it up.

Talk. About. Scary.

What happens when good doctors lose their morals? Kids going blind?? I was headed to medical school with hopes to be an ophthalmologist at the time, and literally avoided applying to Emory University because of this story. It was SHOCKING. A good--er well, enlightening read for anyone, especially those involved or interested in vision sciences.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A VERY interesting read. It was a bit difficult to follow at times because of the number of people involved and the intricacies of the situations but it truly is a phenomenal story. The most heart-breaking part is that so much wonderful research could have been done. And even now, Dr. Cavanagh is still practicing ...

[Chris Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book for any surgeon in training, or in practice for that matter. It was eye opening. Having trained in NC, not too far from Emory, I have met most of the people in this book, making it that much more personal. It has made me pause a little longer than I usually do during timeouts and procedures in the clinic. Well written. I am sure there is a second side to the story.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story but clearly written by a doctor without the greatest talent for writing. Much of the text is taken directly from legal documents and transcriptions of committee meetings. I did enjoy reading this book overall for the issues it raises regarding medical ethics and the politics of medicine in academic settings.

[Asma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes immense skill to make an issue as dull as medical ethics to read like a Jodie Picoult novel. Wonderfully thought provoking. Medical error is a muddy topic at best, a bloody mess at its worst. The writer still managed to tread lightly and present us with -what I presume- an unbiased account of an unfortunate event.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting commentary on leadership dynamics and the potential for abuse. It was a frightening tale of how one physician can do a tremendous amount of damage. Definitely worth the read, though it did come across as a bit biased in parts.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great look at medical academia's scary political peer review system; could have been a great read if the style weren't so dry.

[Irus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written (not at all boring or redundant like many books of this kind), horrifying, and informative.

[Delway Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This straight forward book would appeal more to physicians, attorneys, or those interested in the academic/legalistic climate in American medicine.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eye opener.

[Heather Morr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about how things could go really wrong when leadership doesn't listen to there own people.

[Jane Rimer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nonfiction and scary!!

[Eveena · Rating 3 out of 5]

So horrifying! and then the cover up! sad to think this guy just didn't take full ownership responsibility for taking away people's sight

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing

[Nickie Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book.

[Leah Susinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and easy to read. I work in an optometrists office and this book was recommended by my doctor. Really scary how much power surgeons have and what they can essentially get away with.