If you experience pain when moving your eyes after an auto accident, or if you’re having trouble keeping them open, you may have an eye injury. If you’ve been in a motor vehicle crash, it is essential to seek auto accident treatment as soon as possible. The initial shock of the accident can mask injury symptoms and put your health at risk. In this article we’ll look at eye-related issues that come from an auto accident.
What are common symptoms of an eye injury?
There are many different types of eye injuries, but the most common symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to light. A person with a suspected eye injury may complain of sensitivity to light. This can be related to any form of light, including natural light, fluorescent lights, and even electronic screens.
- Redness or swelling around the eye area. This symptom is linked to injuries and infections, such as the pink eye (conjunctivitis).
- Discharge from the eyes. Tears or discharge from the eyes is common symptoms of a foreign body in the eye that has caused irritation and redness.
- Blurred vision or double vision (diplopia). Any type of foreign object in the eye can cause blurred or double vision because it obstructs normal sight pathways.
Types of eye injuries
Here are some common types of eye injuries:
- Eyelid lacerations. Eyelid lacerations are the most common type of eye injury, and cuts and scratches can cause these or foreign bodies to enter the eye and scratch the cornea (the clear front covering of the eyeball).
- Black eye. This results from trauma to the soft tissue around the eye, such as bruising or swelling. It’s usually caused by a blunt force injury, such as being hit with a fist, but it can also be caused by a sharp object like a high-heeled shoe or fingernail.
- Chemical burns. Chemical burns to the cornea often happen when someone splashes chemicals directly into their eyes. Exposure to acids or alkalis can cause severe damage to your eyesight if they make contact with your cornea — these chemicals can even cause blindness if left untreated.
- Orbital fracture. An orbital fracture occurs when trauma to the bones surrounding your eye socket (orbit). This type of injury usually results from blunt force trauma like being punched or kicked in the face; however, it can also occur from falls and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs).
- Retinal detachment: A tear in the retina can cause a retinal detachment, which is a condition that occurs when the retina pulls away from its normal position at the back of the eye. This can result in loss of vision.
- Vitreous hemorrhage: A vitreous hemorrhage occurs when the gel-like substance behind your eye (vitreous) leaks into your retina. This can cause blurry vision or floaters.
- Optic nerve damage: The optic nerve connects your retina to your brain and carries information about what you see to your brain for processing. If a blow to the head damages this nerve, it may affect how you see colors, objects, and motion.
What treatments are available for eye injuries
If you’ve been injured and need to see an eye doctor, any of the following treatments may be recommended:
- Eye patches. An eye patch may be recommended if you have a corneal abrasion (a scratch on the cornea) or a foreign body in your eye. Eye patches are also used after surgery on the eyelids or conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the inside of your eyelids).
- Contact lenses or glasses. Contact lenses may be prescribed if there’s damage to your cornea and you need help focusing on objects up close. Glasses are often recommended for treating mild vision problems caused by trauma or aging.
- Surgical repair/removal of foreign bodies from eyes (lacerations). If there’s an object embedded in your eye, it may need to be removed by surgery, so it doesn’t cause further damage or infection.
Conclusion
After an auto accident, you may have a lot of questions about your injuries. What are their causes? And what should my doctor do to ensure I don’t lose any more vision in the future? These and more are questions we answer all day here at The Brooks Clinic. We make sure that not only do you get the right treatment but also followup and help file the right paperwork for insurance. Give us a call today and let’s get you an appointment.
