Can Car Accidents Cause Retinal Detachment?

The experience of a severe automobile accident can have ongoing adverse effects on a person that may take years to overcome. Trauma caused by a car accident can put a strain on a variety of internal organs that can cause pain, bleeding, and prolonged disabilities. If an accident victim’s head hits an object with force, such as a window, steering wheel, or windshield, a break or tear in the retina can occur. If left untreated, this tear can lead to a retinal detachment that can lead to permanent damage to one or both eyes, and sometimes blindness.

The amount of emotional, physical, and financial difficulties that a person can face as a result of lost or diminished vision cannot be overemphasized. Many aspects of daily life can be affected by a loss of vision, such as the ability to drive, read a book, go to work, and general independence. Medical expenses related to treatment for an eye injury stemming from a car accident can be substantial. When accidents victims are unable to work due to their injuries, the situation can quickly become perilous, but with the help of a top car accident lawyers, you may be able to recover significant compensation.

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What is Retinal Detachment?

The retina is a layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye. It’s exceptionally light-sensitive and is responsible for transforming visual images into nerve signals in the brain that enables us to see.

Retinal detachment is a disorder where the retina becomes separated from its normal position and the attached blood vessels. These blood vessels are vital because they provide nutrients and oxygen to the eye. If left untreated, this condition can cause permanent vision loss.

woman holding her head in pain after an injury with a car accident scene in the background

What Are the Symptoms of Retinal Detachment After a Car Accident?

Retinal detachment is painless, but it’s a severe injury that can have lifelong negative impacts on a victim’s life. If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have a retinal detachment and should see an eye doctor immediately:

  • Brief flashes of light in the eye
  • Loss of the eye’s central or peripheral vision
  • Sudden changes or blurring of vision
  • A veil or shadow appears to fall over part of the visual field

According to one of The Barnes Firm’s best car accident lawyers, the classic signs of retinal detachment include the sudden appearance of “floaters,” which are shapes that float in the field of vision.

How is Retinal Detachment Treated?

If you’ve suffered a retinal detachment injury after a car accident, you may need surgery to treat the condition. Two types of surgical procedures treat a retinal detachment injury:

  • Vitrectomy: A procedure that surgically removes the vitreous fluid pulling on the retina and causing the detachment
  • Scleral buckle: the surgical placement of a flexible band or multiple bands around the eye

While surgery can successfully treat a retinal detachment if performed soon after the injury occurred, it’s possible that normal vision may never be restored after sustaining this injury. The success of the surgery is dependent on how long the detachment remained untreated and the extent of the detachment. A car accident attorney says it can often take months for normal vision to return, even with a successful procedure.

close up of an eye with digital visual effects over top
close up of an eye with digital visual effects over top

How is Retinal Detachment Treated?

If you’ve suffered a retinal detachment injury after a car accident, you may need surgery to treat the condition. Two types of surgical procedures treat a retinal detachment injury:

  • Vitrectomy: A procedure that surgically removes the vitreous fluid pulling on the retina and causing the detachment
  • Scleral buckle: the surgical placement of a flexible band or multiple bands around the eye

While surgery can successfully treat a retinal detachment if performed soon after the injury occurred, it’s possible that normal vision may never be restored after sustaining this injury. The success of the surgery is dependent on how long the detachment remained untreated and the extent of the detachment. A car accident attorney says it can often take months for normal vision to return, even with a successful procedure.

Contact Car Accident Attorneys to Help with Your Case

Anyone who experiences a retinal detachment or other injuries from a car accident caused by another’s negligence should be fully and fairly reimbursed for their damages. The eye injury attorneys at The Barnes Firm are dedicated to helping accident victims regain the losses they need to recover sooner and move forward.

If you’ve suffered a retinal detachment or any eye injury from the negligence of another party, contact the eye injury attorneys at The Barnes Firm. Our attorneys can help you recover financial compensation to pay for medical bills, lost wages, future medical care, pain and suffering, and more. Our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims and have a common goal to get you the maximum recovery possible. To speak with an eye injury attorney at The Barnes Firm about your case, schedule a free consultation by completing a contact form.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000