Damage to the eyes can result in permanent visual impairments or even blindness. The consequences for daily life and the amount of any compensation are often significant in cases of eye injury.
Types of Eye Injury
Eye injury can occur in various ways and the severity differs per case.
Common Eye Injuries
| Type | Causes | Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal damage | Scratch, chemical exposure | Scarring, loss of visual field |
| Retinal detachment | Blunt trauma | Loss of vision, blindness |
| Lens damage | Penetrating injury | Cataract, lens removal |
| Eye nerve damage | Head trauma | Permanent vision loss |
| Orbital fracture | Blunt injury | Double vision, displacement of eyeball |
| Chemical damage | Acids, bases | Severe damage, blindness |
Measurement of Visual Acuity
The degree of vision loss is determined based on visual acuity and visual field measurements.
Visual Acuity Classifications
| Visual Acuity Value | Category | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Normal vision | All activities without restriction |
| 0.5 | Mildly reduced | Driver's license usually still obtainable |
| 0.3 | Visually impaired | Aids required, no driver's license |
| 0.1 | Severely visually impaired | Magnification needed for reading |
| <0.05 | Legally blind | Guidance or aids essential |
Impact on Daily Life
Reduced vision affects almost every aspect of life.
Limitations in Daily Life
Mobility
- Driving often no longer possible
- Difficulty navigating in new environments
- Increased risk of falling or collisions
- Dependence on others or public transport
Career and Education
- Many jobs no longer feasible
- Screen work difficult or impossible
- Need for retraining
- Workplace adaptations required
Everyday Tasks
- Reading text (books, letters, labels)
- Performing household chores
- Shopping independently
- Pursuing hobbies
- Social contacts (recognizing faces)
Support and Aids
For reduced vision, various aids and adaptations are available.
Overview of Aids
| Aid | Use | Price Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Reading magnifier | Reading small print | €50 - €500 |
| Screen magnifier | Computer use | €500 - €5,000 |
| Text-to-speech technology | Converting text to speech | €1,000 - €3,000 |
| White cane | Navigation and recognition | €50 - €200 |
| Guide dog | Assistance outdoors | Training via organizations |
| Voice programs | Computer control | €500 - €2,000 |
Compensation for Eye Damage
The financial impact of eye injury can be substantial, especially with permanent vision loss.
Pain and Suffering Compensation for Eye Damage
| Type of Injury | Indication of Pain and Suffering Compensation |
|---|---|
| Loss of one eye | €35,000 - €50,000 |
| Blindness in one eye | €40,000 - €60,000 |
| Severe vision loss in both eyes | €60,000 - €120,000 |
| Total blindness | €150,000 - €250,000 |
| Incurable double vision | €25,000 - €50,000 |
Other Damage Components
Loss of Income
With severe vision loss, working is often no longer possible. For young victims, the damage can run into millions.
Costs for Support
Long-term costs for aids, adaptations, and guidance.
Domestic Assistance
With severe visual impairments, support is needed for daily tasks and administration.
Advice for Leiden
- Always have eye injury checked by a specialist
- Keep records of your vision before and after an incident
- Request a referral to rehabilitation for visual impairments
- Explore options for aids and home adaptations
- Postpone a final settlement until your situation is stable
Legal Assistance in Leiden
For legal assistance, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Leiden, located at Stationsweg 46. In addition, the Rechtbank Den Haag, Leiden location, handles cases relating to personal injury.