Understanding Serious Eye Injuries Following a Car Accident

 Posted on October 11, 2019 in Car Accidents

Most sighted people take their ability to see the world around them for granted. Sadly, it is often only after a person experiences vision loss or impairment that he or she recognizes the sense of sight as the gift it really is. When a person is blinded or sustains a serious eye injury after an accident, they might be unable to work or enjoy the same quality of life they had before. When a person or entity’s negligence causes another person a life-altering injury, the negligent party should be held accountable. Read on to learn about the most common types of eye injuries that can be caused by auto accidents.

Airbag Injuries Are More Common Than You Might Think

Many people incorrectly imagine airbags as soft pillows designed to cushion the driver and passengers in the event of a crash. Although airbags are tremendously helpful at reducing fatalities in car accidents, they can also be the cause of certain injuries.  Airbags contain nitrogen gas and other chemicals which are activated during a car crash in order to rapidly fill the airbag with gas. The average airbag deploys at a speed of up to 186 miles an hour and is filled within about 0.03 seconds. While airbags are designed to prevent more traumatic head injuries, they have been known to cause retinal detachment and traumatic cataracts.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Cause Vision Problems

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are often caused by serious car accidents. TBIs are usually caused by forceful blows to the head. Head and skull trauma can also have a major effect on the eyes.

Eye problems that can be caused as the result of a serious accident include:

• Double vision
• Blurred vision
• Vertigo
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage
• Corneal abrasions and corneal lacerations
• Loss of visual acuity
• Field loss
• Binocular dysfunction
• Spatial perceptual deficits

Globe Ruptures and Orbital Fractures

Believe it or not, extreme pressure can actually cause the eye to rupture. Ocular surgery may be able to mitigate the damage to the eye area, but this is not always possible. Many individuals who experienced globe ruptures during an accident lose their eye completely. Prosthetic devices may help those who eyes or face is disfigured in a major auto accident.

Another injury that can occur from blunt force to the face is an orbital bone fracture. This bone is part of the eye socket and is one of the strongest in the body. It takes an incredible amount of force to break it. Broken orbital bones are terribly painful, and there is a risk that bone shards can puncture the eye or even brain during an accident.

Eye contact is considered important for nearly every type of social interaction, including dating and interviewing for a job. When your eyes are damaged due to an injury, it can take a serious toll on your self-esteem and the overall quality of your life.

Get Help from a Rockford Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious eye injury as the result of an accident, call an experienced Winnebago County catastrophic injury attorney. Our skilled team will meet with you to discuss your options and the potential compensation you could recover. Call 815-215-7561 to schedule a free consultation and case review today.

Sources:

https://www.reference.com/vehicles/speed-airbags-deploy-98ac7eaa01a51857

https://www.brainline.org/article/vision-issues-after-brain-injury