Eye Injuries & Vision Loss
If you have suffered a traumatic eye injury as the result of someone else’s carelessness or a defective product, the law provides you with a remedy.
Eye injuries may result in permanent vision loss, partial vision loss and/or restriction in the field of vision. Litigation against negligent doctors and clinics over eye injuries is increasing. If you suffered a traumatic eye injury as the result of someone else’s carelessness or a defective product, the law provides a remedy. Litigation against negligent doctors and clinics over eye injuries is increasing. Airbag deployment can cause traumatic eye injuries, abrasion of the skin, hearing damage, head and nose injuries, and broken fingers, hands, or arms. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has identified many airbag-related fatalities, mostly involving children. Read the discussion on airbags and hearing loss.
In the majority of cases, you will need an eye doctor to review your case and perhaps to testify. I consult with several different ophthalmologists. For example, for cases involving children and eye injuries, I use a pediatric ophthalmologist. For a medical malpractice case involving the retina, I consult a retina specialist. For LASIK malpractice cases, I use doctors whose practice focuses on that specialty. For more about LASIK, click here. If you have questions about an eye injury, please email me here: evan@legalaidman.com
Eye Injury Care: Helpful Hints for Vision Injuries
People sometimes ignore changes in their vision, hoping it will go away. Flashing lights, a flood of new floaters, a spider web on the edge of the visual field all seem like minor annoyances but may be symptoms of serious problems that could lead to permanent vision loss.
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You should immediately seek medical care if you have double vision, vision loss, eye pain, colored circles around lights, new spots, strings, cobwebs, shadows before the eyes, bulging of the eye or swelling of eye tissues, sudden crossed, turned or wandering eye, discharge, crusting or excessive tearing, eyelids stuck together, sudden and persistent blurring or flashes of light.
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There are certain warning signs of a potentially serious eye injury. These include tears in the outer ocular walls, bleeding on the surface or inside the eye, vision loss and/or a foreign body lodged in the eye. You should not try to remove a lodged foreign body in the eye without professional assistance. The risk of further injury is great.
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Prompt first aid after one of these types of injuries may greatly improve the chance of preserving vision. The first step is to place a protective cover over the eye to prevent further damage. Then seek emergency care as soon as possible.
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The type of treatment given depends on the injury. Surgery may be required to repair blunt or penetrating injuries. Any suspicion of a penetrating injury to the eye requires immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist or in an emergency room.
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If you have severe eye pain, you need to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist or an emergency physician immediately. Simple corneal injuries are treated by removing any foreign material and covering the eye with a patch to let the cornea heal. Antibiotic drops or ointments are often used to prevent infection.They may also be prescribed until a corneal abrasion has healed. Rest and patching the affected eye may help. You should avoid driving and other potentially dangerous situations while the eye is patched, since depth perception is altered. Call for an ambulance or take a taxi. You may need drops at the ER that affect your vision and which will prevent you from driving home from the hospital.
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Chemical burns from acids or alkalis splashed in the eye are dangerous. Many household chemicals are strong acids or alkalis. Drain and oven cleaners or other caustic products or concentrated acid products are particularly dangerous. You should immediately flush with tap water or any drinkable liquid for 30 minutes, and then rush to the nearest emergency facility. Flush before you call the hospital. Do not try to neutralize the chemical.