If you suffer a head injury, perhaps in a car accident, there are a lot of potential ramifications. Many people will suffer from traumatic brain injuries, for instance, which can lead to things like memory loss, headaches, sensitivity to light and sounds, and much more.
But you may be wondering if you could suffer a head injury that would lead to vision loss. This would clearly be highly detrimental to your life, your ability to work and much more. It could also be very expensive, even if it is just temporary vision loss. Is this something that can happen?
Traumatic optic neuropathy
This can happen, and vision experts note that it may stem from a condition called traumatic optic neuropathy. This is one of the most common reasons that people have vision issues after they have suffered a head injury. What it means is that the injury led to damage to the main optic nerve that allows you to see. Your eye itself may still be functioning correctly, and your brain could process those images, but the damage to this nerve means that the connection between the two has been broken.
Sometimes, those who suffer from this condition will immediately have vision loss, such as not being able to see instantly after the crash. But it can also take a long stretch of time – experts note that it can be hours, days or even months – before the full ramifications of the injury become clear. In either case, it’s very important to see a medical professional to get a diagnosis and determine what steps to take going forward.
Seeking financial compensation
Of course, with severe injuries like this, the treatment you need may be expensive and you could also be dealing with lost wages and other costs. Be sure you know about all the legal options at your disposal.