Head injuries, back injuries, broken bones and bruises are what most people think of when they consider the potential consequences of a car wreck – but some accidents cause accident victims to lose their vision.
Your retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye, and it’s what allows your eye to transmit what it sees to your brain. Unfortunately, trauma from a blow to the head or a sudden jolt – like the kind you can experience in a car accident – can cause a retinal tear. While that’s bad enough, an untreated retinal tear can ultimately lead to a detached retina. That’s an emergency condition that can cause permanent vision loss.
What are the signs of a retinal tear after a wreck?
It’s important to understand that you may not feel any pain with a retinal tear, so you need to be alert to other symptoms. You may have a retinal tear if you experience:
- Sudden flashes of light in one or both eyes
- Floaters (tiny specks that seem to float across your field of vision)
- A decrease in vision or a curtain-like shadow across part of your visual field
- A feeling that there is a “loose” sensation in your eye
If you have any of these, seek medical attention as soon as possible, as these may be signs of a retinal tear or detachment. Early treatment can help prevent further damage and improve your chances of preserving your vision.
What should I do next?
A retinal tear or retinal detachment is a major injury – and it can have a profound effect on your ability to function normally and live your life. Depending on what happens, you may find it difficult to drive, work, engage in your hobbies, cook, clean or even play with your children.
You have every right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver for your current and future losses, medical expenses and pain and suffering. Learn how you can protect your rights.