Eye expert testimony is often useful in cases involving issues of vision, visibility, and personal injury.
Vision can be subdivided in a variety of categories. For example, central vision is our straight-ahead vision and peripheral vision refers to our side vision. Many factors influence the quality and character of central vision including opacities in the visual axis and the health of the macula. Eye expert testimony may be useful to determine the the type of vision that is affected and the reason for visual impairment.
Many factors can determine visibility in the presence of eye disease or vision impairment. For example, is a driver with only one functional eye at increased risk for a car accident? Are workers with vision impairment more likely to pose a hazarad to themselves or others? Eye expert testimony can help determine if there are specific situations applicable to each scenario.
Trauma to the eye is an area that is within the scope of comprehensive ophthalmologic care. Trauma to the eye can result in injuries to the cornea, conjunctiva, iris, lens, retina or optic nerve. Medical records or an Independent Medical Examination may serve to reveal which parts of the eye are affected by eye trauma. The prognosis for vision after eye injury depends on many factors including the areas of the eye that are involved and the severity of eye injury.
Blunt eye trauma refers to non-penetrating ocular injury. However, blunt trauma can be just as significant as penetrating injury depending on the degree of force and areas within the eye that are affected. Blunt trauma may result in injuries such as corneal abrasions, inflammation in interior of the eye, bleeding inside the eye, cataract formation, swelling of the retina, tears of the retina, and retinal detachment. The extent of injury to the eye from blunt trauma may be appreciated with an eye examination by an ophthalmologist.
Penetrating injuries to the eye are usually the result of a foreign body traveling at a high velocity. Penetrating injuries can also result in significant damage inside the eye that may either be temporary or permanent. Ophthalmologic examination can discern problems that are temporary from problems that are permanent. Some forms of injury can result in issues that demand long-term care and treatment. For example, glaucoma from either blunt or penetrating injury may require treatment with medication or surgery. The type of treatment depends on the nature and severity of glaucoma. Eye expert testimony may prove useful in explaining the type of ocular damage and the rationale behind treatment.
Damages from visual loss can be considerable. Loss of vision can impact job performance and social relationships. Certain jobs may be lost if an individual is unable to carry on the basic requirements of a job because of impaired vision. Loss of vision can be quantified and the impact from lost wages can be calculated. In many cases the cost of medical care and pharmaceutical expense may be considerable, especially if treatment is expected over a long period of time. An eye expert experienced in legal matters may be able to provide key information that attorneys, judges, and juries can use to assess the impact of impaired vision.
Vision is one of our most precious senses. Many types of legal and administrative proceedings consider the impact of vision impairment. Reduced vision due to medical or environmental factors is often a point of interest. Eye expert testimony can be invaluable in such cases.