Injuries to the Eyelid Can Lead to Serious Infections

Eyelid trauma—or eyelid lacerations—essentially covers anyone with an eyelid injury. With this type of injury, it is entirely possible to develop an infection—especially streptococcal gangrene—thus, medical professions must be careful, even with patients who only appear to suffer from mild eyelid trauma.

Evaluation and Treatment

According to many ophthalmologists, the treatment of eyelid trauma can be especially challenging because each case is unique. Before treatment is even considered, a thorough ocular evaluation must be performed so as to rule out other conditions, such as globe rupture and traumatic hyphema. Any ocular examination should include ocular movements, inspection of the anterior segment and fundus, visual acuity, pupil reactions, and intraocular pressures. Lid examinations should also include nerve and muscle evaluations, including an inspection of any relevant injury to the motor nerves.

The Importance of Considering Patient History

It is critical that, in order to evaluate and treat eyelid trauma—as well as eventually address any personal injury claims that the patient may have in association with the trauma—medical professionals obtain an accurate history of the injury. Some of the key questions asked of patients relate to:

  • The time and nature of the injury;
  • Whether anyone else was involved;
  • Whether the patient was wearing glasses or contact lenses at the time;
  • Whether it is possible that any foreign bodies were/are involved;
  • Whether any chemicals were involved, and if so, the type and concentration;
  • Whether any animal(s) were involved;
  • The patient’s past medical history (including vaccinations, medications, allergies, etc.).

Many eyelid injuries are classified as blunt or penetrating, although they can be both as well. If penetration is involved, medical professionals should try to locate any relevant foreign bodies (which can also be difficult).

Vaccinations and Animal Bite Wounds

If the injury is due to an animal bite and the patient has never been immunized and/or specifically has not received a tetanus shot within the last five years, there are safety precautions that must be taken. If the wound has occurred due to an animal bite, there are also specific types of bacteria that can lead to infections, some of which can even be potentially life threatening. Any patient with eyelid trauma due to dog bites will need particular types of antibiotics administered (such as penicillin), and if a wild animal was involved, administering rabies prophylaxis should also be considered.

Trauma Injury Attorneys Serving Brockton and Surrounding Areas

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we are dedicated to serving our clients who have suffered from eyelid trauma due to someone else’s negligence or intentional, harmful actions. These types of injuries can affect you for the rest of your life. Contact us today for a free consultation—we are here to discuss your rights in a given case, and serve clients in and around Brockton, Massachusetts.

For your free, no-obligation case review and consultation call our law firm today at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step towards getting fair compensation for your injuries or for the loss of a loved one. You can also click here to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.

We offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation to help you understand your rights and the value of your case.

Our Boston eye injury attorney handles all types of accident claims including those involving motor vehicle accidents, throughout all of Massachusetts including, but not limited to, those in the following counties, cities and towns: Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Norton; Cape Cod, Falmouth, Barnstable and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge,Lowell, Lynn, Revere, Everett, Lawrence, Chelsea, Dorchester, Roxbury and Somerville.