SANTA CLARITA EYE INJURY ATTORNEY

Auto accidents can result in a wide array of injuries, and while head, neck, and back trauma are commonly addressed, eye injuries are often overlooked yet potentially life-altering. The eyes are delicate and vulnerable to both direct impact and secondary trauma caused by airbags, shattered glass, flying debris, and the rapid deceleration of a collision. Depending on the severity of the injury, outcomes can range from temporary discomfort to permanent vision loss. This article explores the most common types of eye injuries sustained in car accidents, the recommended treatments for each, and which injuries are likely to heal over time versus those that often lead to lasting impairment.

1. Corneal Abrasions

What It Is: A corneal abrasion is a scratch or scrape on the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. In auto accidents, this often occurs due to debris, glass shards, or the eye coming into contact with foreign objects like airbags or dashboard surfaces.
Symptoms:

• Pain
• Redness
• Tearing
• Sensitivity to light
• Foreign body sensation

Treatment:
Most corneal abrasions heal on their own within a few days. However, treatment often includes:

• Lubricating eye drops
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
• Eye patch in some cases (though this is controversial)
• Avoidance of contact lenses until healing is complete

Prognosis: These injuries typically resolve over time without permanent damage if properly treated. Complications such as infection or recurrent erosion syndrome can occur if not monitored.

2. Hyphema

What It Is:  A hyphema is bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eye (the space between the cornea and the iris). It usually results from blunt trauma, such as from an airbag or a flying object hitting the eye.
Symptoms:

• Visible blood pooling in the eye
• Blurred or blocked vision
• Eye pain
• Light sensitivity

Treatment:

• Bed rest with head elevation
• Protective eye shield
• Avoidance of strenuous activity
• Corticosteroid eye drops to reduce inflammation
• Surgery in severe cases to remove blood and reduce intraocular pressure

Prognosis: Mild hyphemas often resolve with conservative treatment. However, more severe cases may result in permanent vision impairment, especially if there is elevated intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma.

3. Orbital Fractures

What It Is: Orbital fractures refer to breaks in the bones surrounding the eye (the orbit). These often occur due to blunt force trauma in high-speed accidents.
Types:

• Blowout fractures: Break in the orbital floor or walls
• Orbital rim fractures: Involving the outer rim of the eye socket

Symptoms:

• Bruising and swelling around the eye
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Sunken eye (enophthalmos)
• Restricted eye movement
• Numbness in the cheek or upper lip (due to nerve damage)

Treatment:

• Cold compresses to reduce swelling
• Antibiotics if there’s a sinus communication
• Surgical repair for displaced bones or impaired muscle function
• Imaging (CT scans) to assess damage

Prognosis: Depending on severity, some fractures heal naturally with time and rest, while others require surgical intervention. Persistent double vision or cosmetic deformities may occur, and nerve damage can sometimes be permanent.

4. Retinal Detachment

What It Is:  Retinal detachment involves the separation of the retina from the underlying tissue, which interrupts the retina’s ability to process visual signals. This is a medical emergency and often results from whiplash-like motion or blunt trauma.
Symptoms:

• Sudden flashes of light
• A curtain-like shadow over vision
• Sudden increase in floaters
• Blurred vision

Treatment:

• Laser photocoagulation or cryopexy: Seals retinal tears before detachment
• Vitrectomy: Surgical removal of the vitreous gel and replacement with gas or oil
• Scleral buckle: A band is placed around the eye to relieve traction on the retina
• Pneumatic retinopexy: Injection of a gas bubble into the eye to reattach the retina

Prognosis:  Prompt treatment can preserve vision, especially if performed within 24–72 hours. However, retinal detachments have a high risk of leading to permanent vision loss, particularly if the macula is involved or if treatment is delayed.

5. Traumatic Iritis 

What It Is: Traumatic iritis is inflammation of the iris caused by blunt trauma, often from impact with an airbag or steering wheel.
Symptoms:

• Eye pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Redness around the iris
• Decreased vision

Treatment:

• Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Cycloplegic drops to dilate the pupil and relieve pain
• Close monitoring to avoid complications

Prognosis: With timely treatment, traumatic iritis typically resolves in a few weeks. Recurrences can happen, and if untreated, complications such as glaucoma or cataracts may develop.

6. Globe Rupture

What It Is: A globe rupture is a full-thickness injury of the eye wall, often resulting from penetrating trauma or severe blunt force. This is an ocular emergency.
Symptoms:

• Decreased or no vision
• Irregularly shaped pupil
• Eye deformity or leakage of eye fluid
• Severe eye pain

Treatment:

• Immediate surgical repair
• Intravenous antibiotics
• Tetanus prophylaxis
• Eye shield to prevent further damage
• Removal of intraocular foreign bodies if present

Prognosis: The visual outcome depends on the extent of damage. Many cases result in partial or complete permanent vision loss. Enucleation (removal of the eye) may be necessary in extreme cases.

7. Optic Nerve Damage (Traumatic Optic Neuropathy)

What It Is: Injury to the optic nerve can occur due to the force of impact, especially in high-speed accidents or direct trauma to the forehead or face. It may also result from bone fragments pressing on the nerve in orbital fractures.
Symptoms:

• Sudden vision loss
• No visible damage to the eye initially
• Abnormal pupil response (afferent pupillary defect)

Treatment:

• High-dose corticosteroids (controversial and time-sensitive)
• Surgical decompression in select cases

Prognosis: Unfortunately, most cases of traumatic optic neuropathy result in permanent vision loss, especially if there is complete severance of the nerve. Early intervention may improve outcomes in partial injuries.

8. Chemical Burns and Foreign Body Injuries

What It Is: Airbag deployment and broken car batteries can expose the eye to chemicals. Glass shards or metallic particles can also become embedded in the eye.
Symptoms:

• Intense burning or stinging
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blurred vision
• Eye watering or discharge

Treatment:

• Immediate irrigation for chemical burns
• Removal of foreign bodies under magnification
• Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops
• Pain relief medications

Prognosis: Superficial injuries typically heal over time, but deep burns or retained intraocular foreign bodies can cause permanent damage, scarring, or infection leading to vision loss.

Eye Injuries That Tend to Resolve Over Time:
Several eye injuries, when treated promptly and properly, generally heal without lasting effects:

• Corneal abrasions
• Traumatic iritis
• Minor hyphemas
• Small orbital fractures without muscle entrapment
• Superficial chemical or foreign body injuries

These conditions often have excellent outcomes, especially when managed under the care of an ophthalmologist.

Eye Injuries That Are Often Permanent:
Certain injuries are more severe and commonly result in long-term or irreversible damage:

• Retinal detachment (if untreated or involving the macula)
• Optic nerve damage
• Globe rupture
• Severe hyphema leading to glaucoma
• Orbital fractures with nerve damage or muscle entrapment
• Penetrating injuries involving the lens, retina, or optic nerve

Eye injuries in auto accidents can range from minor irritations to catastrophic trauma that results in blindness. Understanding the types of injuries, their symptoms, treatments, and prognosis can help victims seek the appropriate medical attention promptly, which is critical for preserving vision.

Emergency care, specialist evaluation, and sometimes surgical intervention are essential. Legal professionals working with accident victims should ensure these injuries are properly documented and treated, as delayed or inadequate care can mean the difference between recovery and permanent loss of sight.
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Although they are somewhat rare, people can certainly get an eye injury from a car accident. Sometimes, eye injuries can be very serious. The eye is a very delicate yet important organ, and damage can occur which can alter a person's life. 

Sometimes, an eye injury might affect someone's abilities to drive, or to even do their job. Injuries to the eye can sometimes be caused by trauma from the car accident, or perhaps the result of flying glass or debris resulting from the collision. Sometimes, an eye injury can occur during the airbag deployment which would strike someone with such force that it causes damage to the eye. In some cases, a traumatic brain injury can also result in a impairment of one's vision. 

If you've had an injury to your eye due to a car accident, it is important that your treatment involve ophthalmologist, optometrist, or other eye care professionals. The injury can be to the eye itself or perhaps to the eyelid, the retina, the cornea, the iris, or other areas of the human eye. 

It is important to document the injury early to make sure the insurance company understands the accident caused the injury, and that it did not occur later on. The absence of documentation may cause some insurance adjusters to doubt the claim.  Or they might believe you have an eye injury but they may not believe it was caused by the accident.

The doctors need to be very clear in their notes and in the reports that the accident caused the eye injury. Testing can also indicate whether or not the injury can be partially or fully repaired.  

I had a case once where flying glass from the windshield fell into the client's eye and caused a permanent scratch to the client's cornea.  He did not know there was glass in his eye until he went to his optometrist to repair his broken glasses.  She noted the glass lodged in his eye.  As a result, the clients vision was impaired for the foreseeable future. Proper documentation is critical in cases like this. You need to get a doctor to write a report explaining in no uncertain terms that he or she believes the injuries resulted from the car accident, and whether or not the injury is permanent to any extent. If it is permanent, the doctor needs to explain how the injury might affect the person's life going forward. What exact deficits are expected?  

If you've been seriously injured in a car accident, call attorney Robert Mansour for a free consultation regarding your personal injury case. Call (661) 414-7100.

​Robert Mansour can help advise you regarding your case.  He serves the entire Santa Clarita Valley including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, and surrounding communities. Call Santa Clarita personal injury attorney Robert Mansour at (661) 414-7100 for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.  You can also fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.

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