When people think of glaucoma, they may not associate this eye disease with traumatic eye injury. Glaucoma can develop from a blow to the eye, or if a foreign object has penetrated and damaged the structures of the eye. Symptoms of glaucoma may not develop until years after the initial injury, and if progressive damage from glaucoma is left untreated, it will result in permanent vision loss. Dr. Greg Vigna, personal eye injury lawyer, collaborates with leading traumatic glaucoma eye specialists, and integrates top of the line therapies and lifelong needs into your legal case.

Why Does Glaucoma Happen?

At the front of the eye, between the colored iris and the clear lens, is a small opening called the angle. Immediately beyond the angle is a series of small channels called the trabecular meshwork. The eye is constantly producing fluid, and the excess fluid needs to be able to leave the eye and drain through the angle and trabecular meshwork.

A traumatic eye injury can damage the angle and the traubecular meshwork in a number of ways. Fragments of tissue may clog the angle. The angle may also close as scar tissue develops.

Closed angle glaucoma develops rapidly, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, halos around lights, and severe eye pain. It’s a medical emergency and needs to be treated right away to prevent permanent loss of vision.

Open angle glaucoma develops when the trabecular meshwork gets blocked by cellular debris or scarring. This usually occurs little by little, which means eye pressure rises slowly. The first symptom is often loss of peripheral vision. Most complications from open angle glaucoma can be prevented through regular testing and treatment.

Long-term Planning

There is no cure for traumatic open-angle or closed-angle glaucoma, and they require life-long management. Fortunately, there are medications and surgeries that help control eye pressure and reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. After a traumatic eye injury, eye injury lawyer Dr. Greg Vigna consults with leading traumatic glaucoma specialists to assess the severity of your injuries, and identify your lifelong treatment and therapy needs. Changes to one’s eyesight is devastating; the Dr. Greg Vigna law firm is committed to ensuring you receive the highest level of compensation and top treatments available for your eye injuries. Contact us. We’re here to help.