Corneal Abrasions
Scratches on the cornea may cause pain, tearing and light sensitivity. Recovery and any complications determine the relevant assessment.
Eye Injury Compensation Calculator UK
Use our free eye injury compensation calculator to explore potential compensation for temporary eye injuries, permanent vision impairment, partial sight loss and more serious visual injuries. Select the eye affected and the injury category that best matches your medical evidence. The live estimate displays an indicative general damages range based on selected 2026 Judicial College Guidelines references. You can then add lost earnings, medical expenses and care costs to calculate an illustrative combined range. This calculator focuses on England and Wales and does not guarantee compensation.
Explore 2026 eye injury compensation references in three simple steps, with live estimates and optional financial losses.
Free Online Calculator
Eye Injury Compensation Calculator
Select the affected eye and an appropriate injury category. Review the live reference, enter optional financial losses and complete the final calculation.
Enter Your Eye Injury Details
Step 1 of 3
1
Injury Details
2
Financial Losses
3
Final Result
1
Tell Us About Your Eye Injury
Which Eye Was Injured?
Choose the affected eye. Both-eye injuries have separate available categories.
Select Your Eye Injury Category
Choose the category that best fits your documented eye injury or vision loss.
Select the affected eye to display
guideline reference categories.
Important:
A corneal scratch, eye irritation or blurred
vision does not automatically establish a
compensation category. The correct bracket
depends on clinical evidence, lasting effects
and visual function.
2
Financial Losses (Optional)
Have you lost money because of your eye injury?
Potentially recoverable financial losses are
called special damages.
Enter supported amounts or skip this step.
Wages, salary, overtime or income lost
because of injury-related time off work.
£
Eye treatment, medication, rehabilitation,
appointments and associated travel.
£
Help at home, visual aids, equipment,
childcare or reasonable adaptations.
£
Total Entered Financial Losses
£0.00
What can you include? Lost earnings, prescriptions, treatment, travel, vision-related equipment, care and necessary adjustments. Keep supporting evidence and avoid double-counting.
3
Your Final Calculation
Your illustrative calculation is ready.
The right panel now shows the complete
injury reference and expense breakdown.
Live Estimated Compensation
£0.00
How It Works
How Does the Eye Injury Compensation Calculator Work?
Our eye injury compensation calculator uses selected sight and eye injury categories reported from the Judicial College Guidelines. The tool distinguishes short-term eye injury, permanent impairment, loss of vision and physical loss of an eye. It does not attempt to diagnose an injury from symptoms.
Step 1: Select the Eye Affected
Choose left eye, right eye or both eyes using the selection cards. The relevant injury categories then appear. For example, complete sight loss in one eye is assessed separately from partial sight loss or injury affecting both eyes.
Step 2: Add Optional Financial Losses
Enter lost earnings, treatment, medical travel, care and other potentially recoverable expenses. The amount appears in the live estimate as soon as the figures are entered. You may skip financial losses entirely.
Step 3: Review Your Final Calculation
The final step reveals the itemised breakdown, including the selected guideline reference, each financial loss and the illustrative combined amount. Results can be copied or changed without submitting personal details.
2026 Compensation Guidelines
Eye Injury Compensation Amounts UK
The following are selected 18th edition Judicial College Guidelines general damages references. They are not statutory tariffs, automatic entitlements or guaranteed awards.
| Eye Injury Category | General Damages Reference |
|---|---|
| Transient eye injury | £2,910–£5,220 |
| Minor eye injury | £5,220–£11,540 |
| Minor but permanent visual impairment | £12,040–£27,720 |
| Serious incomplete sight loss in one eye | £31,290–£51,990 |
| Complete loss of sight in one eye | £65,090–£72,440 |
| Physical loss of one eye | £72,440–£86,820 |
| Loss of sight in one eye with reduced sight in the other | £84,490–£237,510 |
| Total blindness | In the region of £355,020 |
Important:
Physical loss of an eye differs from
complete loss of sight in an eye that
remains physically present. The effect
on the other eye, visual acuity,
field of vision and medical prognosis
can also be significant.
Common Eye Injuries
Types of Eye Injuries That May Lead to Compensation
Eye injuries vary from short-lived surface damage to permanent reduction or loss of sight. Not every incident results in a valid claim.
Chemical Eye Injuries
Chemical exposure can cause anything from temporary irritation to serious permanent damage. Immediate medical treatment may be necessary.
Blunt Eye Trauma
An impact to the eye can cause bruising, damage to internal structures or visual complications.
Penetrating Eye Injuries
Sharp objects may cause substantial damage to the eye. The prognosis, treatment and retained vision are important factors.
Permanent Vision Impairment
Some injuries leave continuing blurred or double vision, light sensitivity or visual field loss.
Loss of Sight or an Eye
Serious injuries may involve complete loss of sight or physical loss of the eye. These are distinct guideline categories.
Medical safety:
The NHS advises urgent emergency assessment
for serious eye injuries, including penetrating
injuries, strong chemical exposure,
severe pain or changes to sight.
NHS eye injury guidance
.
Compensation Explained
How Is Eye Injury Compensation Calculated?
Where a valid claim exists, compensation may include damages for the injury itself as well as legally recoverable financial losses.
General Damages
These address pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The nature of visual impairment, recovery, daily effects and prognosis matter.
Special Damages
These may cover lost earnings, eye treatment, rehabilitation, visual aids, care, travel and other supported expenses.
Case-Specific Adjustments
Liability disputes, shared fault, interim payments and other legal considerations may change the amount ultimately recovered.
Assessment Factors
What Affects Eye Injury Compensation?
The seriousness of an eye injury cannot be assessed from its name alone. Clinical findings, recovery, visual impairment and long-term effects influence the appropriate category.
Visual Acuity and Field of Vision
Eye specialists may assess how clearly a person sees and whether the injury has affected the visual field. These findings can be particularly relevant where sight loss is permanent.
One Eye or Both Eyes
The effect of an injury to one eye may differ substantially where vision in the other eye is also reduced. Complete blindness has a separate indicative guideline reference.
Recovery and Permanent Impairment
Temporary injuries that resolve within weeks are distinguished from persistent or permanent visual impairment. A reliable prognosis is therefore important.
Employment and Daily Living
Eye injuries may affect reading, driving, mobility, employment, household activities and independence. Documented financial effects may also form part of a valid claim.
Worked Example
Example Eye Injury Compensation Calculation
Consider a minor eye injury that falls within the specified guideline bracket. The following calculation assumes £2,000 of related financial losses are legally recoverable.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minor eye injury general damages | £5,220–£11,540 |
| Lost earnings | £1,500 |
| Medical and travel | £350 |
| Care and other costs | £150 |
| Total financial losses | £2,000 |
| Illustrative combined range | £7,220–£13,540 |
The example adds £2,000 to both ends of the general damages reference. It does not determine whether an individual qualifies for that bracket or whether the financial losses would be recovered.
Supporting Evidence
What Evidence Is Needed for an Eye Injury Claim?
Appropriate medical records and evidence of the incident may help establish both the injury and its consequences.
Medical Records
Clinical examinations, hospital notes, ophthalmologist reports and relevant tests may describe the damage, treatment and medical prognosis.
Evidence of Visual Impairment
Visual acuity and visual field tests may help demonstrate the nature and degree of sight impairment.
Accident Reports
Photographs, witness information, accident reports and records of workplace eye protection may be important to establishing liability.
Financial Documentation
Payslips, invoices, travel receipts and care records may support qualifying expenses resulting from the injury.
Legal Information
Can You Claim Compensation for an Eye Injury?
An eye injury may be relevant to a compensation claim where an appropriate legal basis exists. The fact that an injury occurred does not itself establish negligence or liability.
Workplace Eye Injuries
Chemicals, tools, machinery and flying debris can cause eye injuries. Responsibility depends on the applicable duties and circumstances.
Road Traffic Accidents
Collisions can result in eye trauma caused by impact, glass or other mechanisms. Legal responsibility requires individual consideration.
Clinical Negligence
Eye or vision damage associated with medical care may require specialist assessment of breach of duty and causation.
Claim Time Limits
Many personal injury negligence claims in England and Wales are subject to a normal three-year limitation framework under the Limitation Act 1980, subject to important exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eye Injury Compensation Calculator FAQs
How much compensation can I claim for an eye injury?
There is no fixed amount. Compensation depends on the type of injury, evidence, recovery, the degree of sight loss and financial losses. Guideline brackets are indicative only.
How much compensation is available for a minor eye injury?
A reported 2026 general damages reference for minor eye injuries is £5,220–£11,540. A shorter-lived injury may fall within a different category.
What is the compensation reference for permanent sight impairment?
Minor but permanent impairment of vision is referenced at £12,040–£27,720. More serious incomplete sight loss may involve a separate higher bracket.
Is losing sight in one eye different from losing the eye itself?
Yes. Complete loss of sight in one eye and physical loss of an eye are treated as distinct injury categories.
Can I calculate compensation for injuries affecting both eyes?
The calculator includes selected categories for injuries affecting both eyes. Complex cases require individual assessment rather than adding two eye-injury brackets.
Can I add medical costs and lost earnings?
You may enter these amounts in Step 2. Actual recoverability depends on evidence, causation and the applicable legal rules.
Why does the eye injury calculator initially display £0.00?
The initial £0.00 is only a placeholder. It changes after selecting a supported injury category. It does not represent the value of an unassessed injury.
Is the estimated eye injury compensation guaranteed?
No. The calculator provides an illustrative general damages reference with entered financial losses. An individual valuation needs appropriate medical and legal evidence.
Related Calculators
Related Personal Injury Compensation Calculators
Explore injury-specific tools and other compensation reference calculations.
Sources and Methodology
Official Information and Calculation Methodology
Monetary references are selected injury categories reported from the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (2026). The Guidelines are advisory, not government compensation tariffs. The government and NHS links below provide legal and medical context, not the guideline award amounts.
Reference review: November 2026. This calculator provides general information, not an individual medical or legal assessment.