Eye Problems After a Car Accident

Eye Injury after Car Accident

On average, 6 million car accidents occur every year in the US. While it’s common knowledge that car accidents can lead to injuries such as concussions and neck pain, it’s less known that car accidents can lead to eye injuries as well.

The blunt force trauma that occurs during accidents puts increased pressure on your eyes, which can lead to optic nerve damage. Distorted vision can become an issue as well, but the potential damages don’t end there.

Retinal Detachments or Tears

One of the biggest things to watch out for after an accident is a retinal tear or detachment, as this can be a vision-threatening issue. The symptoms of retinal detachment and tears often include seeing floaters or flashes of light.

Eye Floaters after Car Accident

Floaters are little particles or even spider web-looking objects floating around in your vision. They are easiest to see when looking at a white wall or the blue sky on a sunny day. Flashes will appear like a camera flash going off or sparklers in your vision.

Other symptoms of a retinal tear include:

• Blurred vision
• Reduced peripheral vision
• Curtain-like shadow falling over your visual field

It is possible to have a retinal tear and be asymptomatic, which is why it’s so important that you visit your eye doctor after an accident.

While some retinal tears can heal on their own, others may require laser treatment or surgery to repair them. A retinal tear can cause permanent vision loss if not treated properly.

If you have a tear or detachment after your car accident, your eye doctor will likely refer you to a retinal specialist to determine the next steps.