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When one thinks of injuries in vehicle accidents, the first injuries that may come to mind are broken or fractured bones, head injuries, and lacerations. However, vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of trauma-related eye injuries.

When accidents happen, victims may be exposed to eye injuries caused by shattered windshield glass, leaking gas, being thrown into a steering wheel, or being hit by other debris. Eyes can also be injured when airbags deploy because of a rapid change in velocity. Airbag manufacturers use a powder that can cause chemical burns to the eyes and face. These chemical burns may feel like mild eye irritation, but they can lead to permanent damage if not treated in time.

Eye injuries may be mild to severe. The most common injuries, according to the Cleveland Clinic are:

• Black eye: A blow to the eye or the tissue around it causes a black eye. The area around the eye is bruised, swollen, and painful. The eyelid may also be cut. The swelling from the injury can interfere with vision.
• Bleeding in the eye: An eye surface hemorrhage (bleeding) can result from straining too hard (such as during a cough) or from trauma to the eye. A subconjunctival hemorrhage happens when blood appears in the clear skin part of the eye (the conjunctiva) that covers the white part (the sclera). Blood can also pool between the cornea and the iris (the clear transparent of the eye and the colored part). This bleeding is called hyphemia.
• Burns and irritation: Chemicals, fumes, and other irritants can burn or damage the eye, leading to vision loss.
• Corneal abrasion: The cornea is the clear transparent area on the front of the eye. Foreign objects, fingernails, contact lenses, and other items can scratch the cornea. Corneal abrasions cause pain, sensitivity to light, and eye watering.
• Injury from a foreign object: When something lodges in the eye, vision problems, and eye pain can result. The most common foreign objects in the eye include dirt or debris, sawdust, or shattered glass.
• Orbital (eye socket) fractures: Trauma or blunt force to the bones surrounding the eye can cause a fracture. Orbital fractures usually happen when an object or fist hits the eye. In an orbital blowout fracture, bones inside the eye socket shatter. The muscles that support the eyes can stretch, tear, or become trapped. Children are especially susceptible to this.
• Retinal detachment: A detached retina can cause permanent vision loss. It usually results from age-related changes or trauma to the eye. It happens when the retina (thin tissue on the back of the eye) pulls away from the wall of the eye.

Symptoms of Eye Injuries

The Cleveland Clinic reports that symptoms can vary based on the type of injury an accident victim sustains. Symptoms may be sudden or develop over time. Signs of an eye injury, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include:

• Pain and swelling: Your eye may hurt, especially when you try to open, close, or move it. The eye may be sensitive to the touch. Swelling can affect the eyeball, eyelid, or entire face.
• Bruising and redness: Any part of the eye may appear red or bruised.
• Vision changes: You may see floating black spots or flashes of light (floaters and flashes). In addition to eye floaters, you may notice blurry or double vision and other vision problems.
• Problems with eye movement: You may not be able to move your eyes easily. One eye may move independently from the other.
• Changes in eye appearance: One eye may look crossed (strabismus). The pupils may be different sizes or unusually large or small. One eye may protrude (stick out) from the eye socket more than the other one or look sunken.
• Bleeding: The white part of the eye may look bright red, or you might see small red or black spots in the eye. A red eye can be a sign of an eye injury or several other health conditions.

Diagnosis of Vehicle Accident Eye Injuries

Diagnosing eye injuries after an accident may be challenging because accident victims may not realize their eyes are injured. They are usually attuned to other injuries that are more apparent. When eye injuries go untreated, accident victims may incur total vision loss over time. This is why victims need to seek medical attention as soon as possible following an accident.  

Contact a Florida Personal Injury Attorney

Should you or a loved one suffer an eye injury because of another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Losing your sight may hinder your ability to work or engage in the activities in which you previously participated. Contacting Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. immediately after seeking medical treatment is imperative because evidence may be lost and memories fade.

Attorney Randall Spivey is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney. This certification is the highest level of recognition of attorney competency. Only 1 percent of Florida lawyers achieve this distinction.

The Spivey Law team is available 24/7, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you. Please contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. 24/7 at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com.