Statistics show that 2.4 million individuals suffer from eye injuries each year in the United States. Many times these eye injuries have been known to cause permanent damage to ones eye. It has also been documented that a large percentage of these injuries include corneal abrasions resulting from automobile accidents.
A corneal abrasion can be defined as scrape or trauma to the cornea of the eye. The cornea is a clear cover over the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, and the pupil, which is the black dot in the eye. These elements allow us to have eye sight, while the cornea protects them from being damaged.
The cornea exists to protect the eye by fighting dust, debris and other objects from invading the eye. When an individual is involved in an automobile accident, it is likely for objects in the car to fly throughout the air and cause harm to the eyes of individuals traveling in the cabin. If one of these objects were to scratch the cornea of the eye it is likely to cause an immense amount of pain and discomfort. It is advised not to rub the eyes if something is stuck in the eye, because it could cause further damage.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident resulting in a corneal abrasion, the victim of the accident may be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and damages.
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Causes of Corneal Abrasions
As the cornea is a vulnerable and sensitive area of the human body, it can cause major problems and an immense amount of pain if it were to become damaged. The eyelids were designed to protect the eye from foreign materials such as dust and debris, however during an auto accident foreign materials have been known to find their way in.
A few objects in an automobile that could cause a corneal abrasion include:
- Air bags
- Broken glass
- Chemical burns
- Debris
- Dirty contacts
- Fire
In many cases, the signs and symptoms of a corneal abrasion will not appear immediately. Therefore, it is a great idea to seek medical attention immediately following an automobile collision.
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Reactions to Corneal Abrasions
Our natural reaction as humans is to rub our eyes as soon as we feel something uncomfortable. Often times rubbing our eyes can inflict further damage to the cornea, especially if an object has become stuck in the eye. It is advised that one should seek the attention of a medical professional following any injury to the eye.
A Few immediate treatments include:
- Cover the eye
- Blink Eyes
- Lift upper eyelid over lower eyelid
- Rinse eyes with saline solution or clean water
If for some reason an object does become lodged in the eye, DO NOT remove the object and immediately seek a doctor for removal. If an individual feels as though an object is stuck in the eye the steps above can be used in addition to contacting an eye doctor.
Symptoms of a Corneal Abrasion
It has been stated that those who experience a corneal abrasion experience a certain pain that they have never experienced before and will also never forget. However, many times when a corneal abrasion occurs during a car accident people may not notice it due to the adrenalin circulating throughout the body.
A few symptoms of corneal abrasion injuries include:
- Sensitive to light
- Tearing and redness
- Pain and discomfort
- Loss or blurred vision
- Headache
- Sand feeling in the eye
Our auto accident lawyers at Greg Coleman Law will provide honest legal guidance after an automobile collision. With several years of experience handling personal injury cases throughout Tennessee, we are able to understand the struggles experienced following a car crash injury. If you are interested in learning more, simply complete the Free Case Review form on this page Its That Easy!
Diagnosis and Treatment of a Corneal Abrasion Injury
Any injury inflicted on the eye during a car accident should require the attention of an eye doctor or medical professional. An eye doctor will examine the eye with an eye stain, used to reveal any abnormalities to the cornea. If an object or scratch is discovered on the cornea, an eye doctor has the tools and capabilities to remove it without inflicting further damages.
A few corneal abrasion treatments include:
Topical Antibiotics -
Topical antibiotics are used to fight infections that could slow the healing process caused by corneal abrasions. Therefore, topical antibiotics are used to speed up the healing process by fighting away infections.
Topical Analgesics
Topical analgesics are non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs that are used to reduce the pain and discomfort accompanied by corneal abrasions.
Oral Analgesics
There is no direct evidence showing a correlation between oral analgesics treating corneal abrasions, however, they are commonly used as a source of pain relief because they are much less expensive than many other topical alternatives.
It is recommended that individuals suffering from corneal abrasions be re-evaluated 24 hours following their initial evaluation. If at this time the corneal abrasion is not completely healed, they should return again in another three to four days later. The healing time for a corneal abrasion is largely dependent on the size of injury that occurred. Many corneal abrasions may also re-occur up to three months following the initial occurrence of the corneal abrasion injury.
Contact An Experienced Tennessee Attorney
The personal injury lawyers at Greg Coleman Law have many years of legal experience and is known for putting this experience to good use by representing car crash victims across the state of Tennessee. Our auto accident lawyers all share a true passion for helping people of Tennessee and feel that it is our obligation to protect the rights of all residence.
As a pursuit of justice we have combined our vast legal knowledge, experience, and passion for the law. All of these elements allow our firm to create individualized cases to place our clients in a position to potentially recover the maximum amount of compensation for their losses.
With our main office located in Knoxville, we are licensed to serve the entire state of Tennessee.
Some locations include:
- Crossville
- Greeneville
- Cleveland
- Asheville
- Kingsport
For more information about how we can help you, or to schedule a no-obligation consultation, contact us today at (865) 247-0080 and a member of our intake team will take the information and details about your accident. They will then connect you with one of our experienced auto accident attorneys to handle your case.
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