Can a Car Accident Affect Your Vision?

An impact to the head or face or any type of head injury can affect a person’s vision. A leading cause of head injuries are car accidents. Trauma to the brain can occur during a car accident when a person’s skull hits an object like the windshield or the steering wheel.

Loss of sight, blindness, or other vision problems can be due to trauma to the eye. Vision problems can also be caused by injury to the brain. After a brain injury, eye and vision problems are fairly common. Depending on the person and the type of injury, some vision-related issues can be permanent. Others may resolve themselves in a short amount of time.

Serious injuries can include:

  • Retinal detachment. This happens when the retina, a thin layer of tissue lining the inside of the back of the eye, separates from the surrounding tissue. This issue can potentially cause permanent blindness.
  • Vitreous hemorrhage. Vitreous hemorrhage is blood in the vitreous. The vitreous is the clear, jellylike substance in the center of the eyeball. Head injuries can cause blood vessels in the eye to bleed into the vitreous.
  • Optic nerve damage. Optic nerve damage is any kind of injury or damage to the optic nerve. Head injuries have the potential to cause increased pressure within the skull which, in turn, may put pressure on the optic nerve. This pressure can cut off blood circulation and lead to vision distortion, vision loss, and-or blindness.

Approximately 20-40 percent of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience vision disorders related to the accident, said Brainline.org.

Even minor auto accidents can cause problems with vision. Sight issues can be the result of less severe head injuries like concussions or whiplash. Some people may experience double vision or have difficulty changing focus between near and distant objects. Some people may feel nauseous when they shift their gaze around. Others can experience headaches or sensitivity to light, and words on a page may look like they move.

People who experience a car accident should also be on the lookout for hidden injuries. Some injuries, like retinal detachment, may not be readily apparent. Without proper medical treatment, these injuries can get significantly worse over time.

Loss of sight or blindness is a devastating, life-changing injury.

Individuals who are involved in a car accident that results in blindness or loss of vision in one or both eyes you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim. Call The Perecman Firm P.L.L.C., today to learn how we can help you with your claim.

For over 40 years, David H. Perecman has distinguished himself as one of the leading personal injury lawyers in New York City, championing all types of personal injury cases including construction accidents, premises accidents, automobile accidents, and medical malpractice, along with employment discrimination, false arrest, and civil rights cases.