After a car accident, some symptoms of injury are apparent immediately while others may develop after a day or longer. Blurred vision is a symptom that may not happen immediately, but it shouldn’t be ignored if it does. It could be a symptom of a variety of serious conditions including retinal detachment, concussion or brain injury.
If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s very important to have your doctor or an emergency room physician thoroughly examine you even if you don’t have any symptoms at first. He or she may be able to recognize problems that you aren’t aware of immediately. Even if the doctor doesn’t find an issue, if you develop blurred vision after a few days or weeks, make sure you’re evaluated to see if the symptoms are related to the accident.
Blurred Vision and Concussion
A concussion is a mild injury to your brain caused by trauma to the head. An accident can cause the brain and head to move back and forth. When this happens, the brain tissue can move or bounce within the skull. This can result in damaged tissue or chemical changes within the brain.
Blurred vision is one of the symptoms you may experience if you have a concussion. This and other symptoms of a concussion may happen immediately after your accident, or they may be delayed. Other symptoms you may experience include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Balance problems
- Nausea and vomiting
Your vision may continue to be affected for a period of time after a concussion. Until you have completely healed, you may have blurred vision, double vision or difficulty focusing. In most cases, these symptoms will resolve with rest. Doctors usually recommend complete rest, which means no television or video games while you let your brain heal.
Retinal Detachment
If you’re experienced a blow to one or both eyes in the car accident, it can lead to a serious condition called retinal detachment. Besides experiencing blurred vision, you may experience other warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
You may see small specks or clouds known as floaters. These specs seem to drift through your visual field. You may also experience flashes of light similar to lightning known as flashers in one or both eyes. Your peripheral vision may be reduced or you may feel like a curtain is casting a shadow over your visual field.
If you think you could be experiencing a retinal detachment, get medical attention immediately. A retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss if it’s not treated. An eye doctor may be able to prevent the retina from detaching if it’s caught in time, or it may be able to be fixed surgically if it does detach.
Vision Problems After a Car Accident
Any vision changes that you experience after a car accident should be evaluated immediately. Whether you experience blurred vision, double vision, pain, swelling or bleeding around the eyes, you should see a doctor right away.
As you’re going through the process of getting medical care, it’s important not to accept the first settlement offer that the insurance company makes. At this point, you may not know the full extent of your injuries.
Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a California accident caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence, besides getting immediate medical attention, you need legal advice from an expert in the field of personal injury law. Get in touch with Megeredchian Law by filling out our contact form. We will call you to set up your free case evaluation and we can answer any questions you may have.