When people think of common car accident injuries, broken bones, lacerations, blunt force trauma and head trauma usually come to mind. Eye injuries might not seem like the most pressing issue when you’re waiting for an ambulance to arrive. However, accidents can expose riders’ eyes to shattered glass and debris. Deployed airbags can also cause eye injuries.

Here are some common eye injuries, and what to do if you suffer eye injuries during a car accident.

Common eye injuries and symptoms

Many accident victims don’t realize their eyes are injured right away. Often, they and their medical teams are focused on life-threatening or obvious injuries. Even if they do realize they’ve experienced an eye injury, it can be a challenge to diagnose. Blurred vision and pain can be attributed to other causes, like head trauma. Common injuries include:

  • Lacerations from broken glass
  • Contusions (black eye)
  • Chemical burns from airbag powder
  • Optic nerve damage from head injuries
  • Blood in the vitreous fluid
  • Eye deformities

If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek medical treatment as soon as possible:

  • Cuts on or around eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Swollen eyes
  • Double vision
  • Light sensitivity
  • Painful pressure behind your eyes
  • Sight loss
  • Blood in or around your eyes
  • Itching and irritation
  • Visual memory loss
  • Uneven eye movement (one eye doesn’t move as freely as the other)

The longer you wait to treat potential eye injuries, the more likely you are to suffer long-lasting or even permanent effects. In some cases, accident victims may experience partial or total vision loss. Head injuries increase the chances that your eyes may be injured.

What to do if your eyes are injured in an accident

If you’re in an accident and have noticed any of the symptoms above, visit an emergency room, urgent care center or your ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Let your healthcare providers know that you were in an accident and suspect that you may have suffered an eye injury. Tell them what kind of symptoms you are experiencing and whether you experienced head trauma.

Next, call the Law Offices of Tim Misny. A skilled personal injury attorney can fight to ensure your past and future medical expenses are covered, along with compensation for any permanent, life-changing injuries.

Call an Ohio personal injury lawyer today

The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your personal injury case. When you’re the victim of negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so that I can evaluate your case right away.

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