BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — A former Rogers eye doctor has been sued in Benton County by a previous patient who claims she was sexually assaulted during an exam.
The complaint, filed on Sept. 19, said the patient was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis around five years ago, and was recommended by her optometrist to see Dr. Robert Steven Baker, a neuro-ophthalmologist, due to the nature of vision problems she was experiencing.
The suit said the patient first met Dr. Baker during an in-home neurological evaluation while her husband was present, and the doctor never asked her to remove any clothing. However, during a weekend appointment in September 2023 at Dr. Baker's office, the patient became uncomfortable with his behavior.
During the visit, which she expected to be for a visual exam, Dr. Baker asked the patient to spread her legs so that he could move into a closer position. After complying, Dr. Baker then said he needed to perform a "sensory evaluation," using a tissue to touch various parts of the patient's body before asking her to lift up her shirt, explaining that if he did this over her clothes the exam would be inaccurate, the complaint said.
Dr. Baker then asked the patient if she would be comfortable removing her pants, and she responded no. The exam continued after that, according to the complaint, and a follow-up was scheduled because the doctor claimed the evaluation was not fully accurate while the patient was clothed.
The suit said that the patient was apprehensive about attending a follow-up appointment a week later, but that her eye pain and affected vision worried her.
For the follow-up exam, the lawsuit claims there was a female chaperone in the room. Dr. Baker again suggested a sensory exam and asked the patient to remove her shirt.
Throughout the process of removing her shirt and bra, the patient recalls Dr. Baker sitting "uncomfortably close." The doctor then proceeded to poke the patient's breasts while her eyes were closed.
The patient asked on at least two occasions if she could put her shirt back on, to which Dr. Baker allegedly replied "not yet," according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims Dr. Baker was obstructing the view of the female chaperone, who appeared to be uncomfortable.
The suit also said that the doctor didn't record any part of the exam in his notes.
According to the complaint, Dr. Baker had encounters with the patient that "left her traumatized and confused, resulting in extreme emotional distress and panic attacks."
"Dr. Baker sexually violated [the patient] under the guise of a medically necessary examination," the complaint said.
The patient is seeking "not less than $75,000.01" and hopes to go to trial, according to the suit. Charges listed in the complaint include assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence or malpractice.
"Dr. Baker had a duty to possess and apply with reasonable care the degree of skill and learning ordinarily possessed and used by members of his profession in good standing, engaged in the practice of medicine and the specialty of neuro-ophthalmology in the locality in which he practices, or in a similar locality," the complaint said. "Dr. Baker breached that duty."
According to the Arkansas State Medical Board, Baker's license was issued in August 2020 and was set to expire on Jan. 31, 2026. However, Baker's license was suspended on June 6, 2024, after the board "unanimously voted to issue an emergency order of suspension."
5NEWS reached out to the patient's legal counsel as well as a phone number the medical board listed for Dr. Baker and has not heard back.
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