Assessing permanent impairment for eye injuries

A recent referral to the Ophthalmology Assessment Tribunal for a disagreed permanent impairment (PI) identified an incorrect assessment process.

An injury to a worker's right eye resulted in total vision loss in that eye. The assessing medical officer used AMA4 which ascribes 24% whole person impairment to total loss of vision in one eye. Section 92 of the Regulation however states the method that must be used in assessing PI for vision injuries is the method stated in the Ophthalmology Guide. The Table of Injuries prevails where there is any inconsistency between the Table of Injuries and the Ophthalmology Guide. In this instance the Table of Injuries has a clear reference to loss of vision in one eye (corrected vision). This is a deemed injury and the maximum WRI is 32.58%. As this worker has no vision in his right eye, he is entitled to the maximum WRI.

The assessment was further complicated by the case manager interpreting the assessing medical officer's assessment of 24% whole person as 24% loss of vision which was converted to a 7.82% WRI. The worker was offered a lump sum of $19,137.60. The correct offer should have been $79,726.50.

The Tribunal confirmed that the worker had a total loss of vision in one eye and assessed the PI as per the Table of Injuries.

This referral outcome signifies the importance of ensuring that the assessing medical officer follows the correct method of assessment when referring workers for permanent impairment.

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Assessing permanent impairment for eye injuries

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