An estimated 2.4 million people in the United States suffer from eye injuries each year. Many times these eye injuries also cause permanent damage and loss of vision. A percentage of these eye injuries also include corneal abrasions as a result of a car accident.
Corneal abrasion injuries can be defined as a scrape or trauma that occurs to the cornea of the eye. The cornea is a clear covering over the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, and the pupil, the black dot in the eye. These two elements of the eye are two of the main elements that allow for us to have vision, while the cornea protects them.
The cornea protects the eye by fighting dust, debris and other objects from invasion. When an individual is involved in a motor vehicle accident, there will likely be many objects flying through the air which could cause harm. If one of these objects were to scratch the cornea it will likely cause a great amount of pain and discomfort, so it is best not to rub the eye because it could likely cause further damage.
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The Many Causes Of Corneal Abrasions
The cornea is a vulnerable and sensitive area of the human body. Although the eyelids are designed to protect the eye, it is likely that foreign materials will still make it past, especially during a car accident. Imagine all the contents in your car in the air, these objects significantly increase the chance of a corneal abrasion occurring.
Known objects that can cause a corneal abrasion include:
- Air Bags
- Broken Glass
- Dirty or poorly fitting contacts
It is common that the signs and symptoms of a corneal abrasion will not appear immediately. This often results in unknown causes for corneal abrasions. Thus, we should always seek medical attention directly following an automobile accident.
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Reactions To Corneal Abrasions
As humans, our natural reaction is to rub our eyes at the moment we feel an uncomfortable sensation. Often times rubbing our eyes can cause further harm to our cornea, especially if an object is lodged in the eye. Medical professionals advise the following immediate treatments for corneal abrasions:
- Blink eyes
- Lift upper eyelid over lower eyelid
- Rinse eyes with saline solution or clean water
Note that if an object should not be removed if it has become lodged in the cornea or any area of the eye; this should be left for an eye doctor. If an individual who feels that something is stuck in their eye following the steps listed above should contact an eye doctor or visit the emergency room immediately.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms?
The pain caused by a corneal abrasion will likely be a pain you have never experienced before, and one that you will likely never forget. Of course, with the adrenalin circulating the body and other injuries associated with automobile accidents, you may not notice this immediately.
The most common symptoms associated with a corneal abrasion include:
- Feeling of sand in the eye
- Loss or blurred vision
- Pain or discomfort opening and closing the eye
- Redness or tearing
- Sensitivity to light
Our auto accident lawyers Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers provide the honest legal guidance you need after an accident. With our many years of experience handling personal injury cases throughout Connecticut, we understand the struggles experienced following an automobile accident injury.
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Corneal Abrasion Diagnosis And Treatment
Injuries to our eyes sustained during an auto accident require the immediate attention of an eye doctor or medical professional. An eye doctor will examine the eye using a special eye stain, which will point out any abnormalities of the cornea. If an object or scratch is discovered on the cornea, an eye doctor possesses the tools to remove it without causing any further damages.
Common treatments for corneal abrasions include:
These are a nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drug that is used to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with corneal abrasions.
These antibiotics are used to fight infections which could cause corneal abrasions to heal slower. Thus, topical antibiotics seep up the healing process by keeping infection away.
No direct evidence actually shows the effectiveness of oral analgesics in treating corneal abrasions, however it can be issued for pain relief and is much less expensive than other topical alternatives.
Typically individuals suffering from a corneal abrasion should be reevaluated 24 hours after their initial evaluation. If at this time the corneal abrasion is not completely healed, they should return once again three to four days later. The healing time for a corneal abrasion usually depends on the size of the abrasion. Also, traumatic corneal abrasion symptoms may reoccur up to three months prior to the initial occurrence of the abrasion.
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Contact An Experienced Car Accident Attorney In Connecticut
It is important to contact an experienced car accident attorney prior to speaking with an insurance agency. The amount of compensation received for an automobile accident depends greatly on the auto accident attorney you hire and how quickly the case is dealt with.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, the experienced Connecticut auto accident lawyers at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers are here to represent you in the court of law. Our auto accident attorneys strive to provide the highest level of representation for all motor vehicle accidents in the state of Connecticut, including areas such as; Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury, Hartford and Stamford.
Let our team of Connecticut auto accident attorneys “Put the Power of Perkins to Work for You.”