Eye Problem After Car Accident

Vision is one of the most important senses in relation to the quality of health and wellbeing. Scientific research suggests that over 80% of what we perceive and experience in the world is through our sense of sight.

All car accidents have the potential to cause incredibly painful injuries. Some car accident injuries are immediately obvious, but head injuries and vision problems can develop slowly over the days and weeks following the accident. Temporary or permanent loss of vision can be frightening and has the potential to cause long-term emotional and physical suffering.

If you or a loved one have suffered from vision problems after a car accident, you must contact the personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation.

Our car accident lawyers have many years of experience representing clients who have been injured due to someone else's carelessness. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay us unless we recover money for you.

How Are Eye Problems Caused in a Car Accident?

Vision problems and head injuries are common after a car crash. Car accidents can cause direct trauma to the eye through flying debris such as glass or metal. Whiplash-associated disorders can also damage the neck muscles causing irritation and vision changes.

However, many eye injuries that occur after car accidents result from traumatic brain injuries or a head injury sustained during the collision. Even mild head trauma can cause significant and ongoing difficulties with vision.

Common Eye Problems After a Car Crash

Trauma-related eye injuries are common after car accidents. Blows to the head or face could cause physical trauma to the eyes or the brain that might impact eyesight and cause a short-term or long-term injury.

Eyelid Lacerations

Flying glass and debris can cause serious lacerations to the eyelids. Complications of eyelid lacerations can include infection, eyelid notching, irregular eyelid contour, septal perforation, prolapse of orbital fat, corneal injury, shortening of eyelid fornices, and the risk of hemorrhage.

Chemical Burns

In a car wreck where the airbag has been deployed, the victim may experience chemical burns to the eyes due to vapor or powder escaping from the airbag. This chemical burn can lead to alkali keratitis, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly by a doctor.

Orbital Fracture

An orbital fracture is a break in one of the eye socket bones.

Symptoms of an orbital fracture can include:

• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Double vision
• Bruising around the eyes
• Trouble focusing
• Facial numbness
• Difficulty with moving the eyes
• Pain and nausea that are worsened by eye movement
• Swelling to the surrounding tissues

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a serious injury and is one of the most common vision-threatening injuries after an auto accident. Retinal detachment occurs when the thin layer of tissue that makes up the retina is torn from the surrounding tissues, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients.

Symptoms of retinal damage can include sensitivity to light, blurred or double vision, and seeing flashes of light or the sudden appearance of floaters in your field of view.

It is important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible and seek medical attention if you are experiencing these symptoms, as retinal detachment requires surgery immediately to prevent vitreous hemorrhage and the possibility of permanent damage.

Vitreous Hemorrhage

The vitreous humor is the clear, jellylike substance within your eyes. During a car accident, trauma can damage the blood vessels in the eye and cause blood to leak into the vitreous humor. Complications of vitreous hemorrhaging can include glaucoma and long-term vision loss.

Optic Nerve Damage

A head injury can cause an increase in pressure inside the skull, causing damage to the optic nerve. This increased pressure can disrupt blood circulation to the optic nerves and lead to vision damage or, in severe cases, permanent blindness.

People suffering from optic nerve damage may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain that is worsened by moving the eye
• Vision loss in one eye
• Experience vision disturbances, such as flashing light
• Loss of color vision

Traumatic Brain Injury Leading to Eye Problems

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury in the United States. According to the CDC data, car accidents caused about 14.3% of all traumatic brain injuries from 2016 to 2020. This percentage was only surpassed by object strikes (15.5%) and accidental falls (40.5%).

Serious vision problems can occur due to head trauma or brain injury. Research shows that 90% of all traumatic brain injury patients suffer from visual dysfunctions.

Eye Complications From Traumatic Brain Injuries

Vision problems after a brain injury are caused by disruption of communication between the eyes and the signaling system in the brain.

Damage to cranial nerves that control eye function can result in vision problems that include the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in the eyes aligning properly
• A loss of sharpness and clarity in vision
• Double vision or blurred vision
• Narrowed range of vision
• Difficulty reading and focusing
• Sensitivity to light

How Do I Claim Compensation for an Eye Injury?

If you or a loved one are experiencing eye pain after a car accident, you must contact a law firm to engage a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Eye injuries can cause accident victims significant trauma and financial burden in medical bills and lost wages. By contacting an attorney and proceeding with an eye injury claim, you may be able to obtain compensation.

A personal injury claim may provide compensation that covers:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of consortium
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages

What Steps Do I Take to Start the Process of Compensation?

If you or a loved one have suffered an eye injury in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC for immediate legal assistance. You must engage a professional personal injury lawyer to fight for a fair settlement and the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (888) 424-5757 for immediate legal help, and schedule a free consultation to discuss your compensation case.

Our auto accident lawyers have many years of experience representing clients who have been injured due to someone else's carelessness. We accept all injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This agreement ensures you pay nothing until your case is resolved through a negotiated settlement or jury trial award.

All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Resources:

• PubMed – Chemical Eye Burns
• National Library of Medicine – Eyelid Bruises
• Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association - Eye Problems After Brain Injury