What Eye Injuries Can Occur From Auto Accidents?
Eye injuries can occur in auto accidents due to the impact of the collision and the resulting forces involved. These injuries can vary in severity and can affect different parts of the eye. Here are some common types of eye injuries that can occur in auto accidents:
Corneal Abrasions
The cornea, which is the clear front surface of the eye, can be scratched or injured by foreign objects, shattered glass, or airbag deployment. Corneal abrasions can cause pain, redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light.
Foreign Body Injuries
Debris, broken glass, or other objects may enter the eye during an accident, causing damage to the cornea, conjunctiva, or other structures. Foreign body injuries can lead to pain, tearing, redness, and potential infections.
Chemical Burns
In some cases, auto accidents may involve exposure to hazardous substances, such as chemicals or fuels. Direct contact with these substances can cause severe damage to the eye, resulting in chemical burns and vision loss.
Traumatic Iritis
Iritis is an inflammation of the iris, the colored part of the eye. It can occur as a result of direct trauma or a blow to the eye during an accident. Symptoms include eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and redness.
Orbital Fractures
Severe impact during an auto accident can cause fractures in the bones surrounding the eye socket (orbit). Orbital fractures can lead to double vision, swelling, bruising, and changes in the position of the eye.
Retinal Detachment
Sudden deceleration or trauma can cause the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, to detach from its normal position. Retinal detachment can result in a sudden loss of vision and requires immediate medical attention.
Traumatic Cataracts
The lens of the eye can become clouded or damaged due to the impact of an auto accident. This condition is known as traumatic cataract and can cause blurred vision, glare, and decreased visual acuity.
Double Vision, Blurry Vision, Depth Perception Issues
After a car accident, double vision can be a sign of various eye injuries, including: Cranial Nerve Damage: The nerves that control eye movement can be damaged due to the impact of the car accident. Symptoms of cranial nerve damage include double vision, drooping eyelid, and pupil abnormalities.
Optic Nerve Damage
If you suffer head trauma during a car accident, pressure may build in your skull and press on/damage your optic nerve, which is important for your vision as it transmits electrical impulses from your eyes to your brain.
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy (TON)
TON is an uncommon cause of visual loss following blunt or penetrating head trauma, but the consequences can be devastating, especially in cases with bilateral optic nerve involvement.
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of eye injuries that can occur in auto accidents, and the actual range of injuries can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the accident. If you or someone else has experienced an eye injury in an auto accident, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention to assess the extent of the injury and receive appropriate treatment.
It is important to seek medical attention promptly after an auto accident to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of any injuries. Medical attention should be with a qualified medical provider that knows how to care for you and who knows about insurance claims. Not all doctors want to get involved with insurance claims; and for those who do not, they can seriously damage your bodily injury claim. We will help you find the right doctor for the type of injury you have sustained. Picking a doctor at random is a sure recipe for insurance claim issues.
Early detection and treatment intervention of an injury is critical to assure the best healing outcome. The medical/scientific literature is full of research on why this is so, but you must evaluate, treat and get proper legal representation. Finding a quality car accident lawyer in Gastonia, NC is very important. As a doctor who represents injured people, I know injuries. I treated thousands of accident injuries, and now I represent them in the legal arena. I fight for you and never for insurance companies. Call us if you need our help. Our staff at Ted A. Greve & Associates, PA is highly trained to help you every step of the way. The call to and consultation with my office are free. Call 1-800-333-4333 24 hours a day so that we can help start you on the way to health, and insurance claim, recovery.
