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A corneal abrasion is a superficial scratch on the protective, clear ‘window’ at the front of your eye, otherwise known as the cornea.1
If you experience corneal abrasion, it is best to seek immediate medical attention. Corneal abrasions can become infected and lead to a corneal ulcer if left untreated.
For a corneal abrasion, some immediate steps you can take include rinsing your eye with clean water, sterile saline solution, or a sterile saline eye wash. You can use a small, clean glass or an eyecup positioned with its rim resting on the bone at the base of your eye socket.
If you have immediate access to a worksite eye-rinse station, use it. Washing the eye may rinse out foreign particles or objects.
Blink several times. This can help remove small particles. You can also try pulling the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid.
This may lead your eye to tear, helping wash out the particle. Or it may lead the lashes of your lower eyelid to brush away a foreign object from under your upper eyelid.
To avoid making the eye injury worse:
If you wear contact lenses, do not use them during the natural healing process. Most corneal abrasions heal within a day or two. Additionally, a scratched eye can cause any pre-existing eye diseases to worsen.
Injuries to the cornea occur often. Eye injuries to the outer surface may develop from:2
Your cornea can be scratched by contact with the following foreign objects:
Corneal abrasions resulting from plant matter, such as a pine needle, usually need special attention. This is because they can lead to delayed inflammation inside the eye. This is known as iritis. They can also cause fungal keratitis (corneal infection from fungi).
You are more likely to experience a corneal eye injury if you:
High-speed particles like chips from hammering metal on metal may become stuck on the surface of the cornea. In some cases, they may penetrate deeper into the eye.
Dry eyes and the improper use of contact lenses may heighten the risk of corneal abrasions. Individuals who experience dry eyes at night can tear the corneal epithelium when opening the eyelids due to the lack of moisture in the eye.
Damaged contact lenses or wearing them for long periods also enhances the risk of a scratched eye.
The symptoms of a corneal scratch include:
Most people fully recover from minor abrasions without permanent eye damage.
However, deeper injuries can lead to:
If you do not treat a scratched eye properly, these potential complications can lead to long-term vision issues. Any unusual symptoms should be discussed with your eye doctor.
Seek emergency care from a doctor if you experience the following:
Your doctor can provide you with medical advice, treatment, and eye health tips. In severe cases, you may have to visit the emergency room.
If you have an eye scratch, your eye specialist or doctor may prescribe prescription eye drops or antibiotic ointment to prevent eye infection. They may also provide you with medicated or lubricating drops to relieve pain and redness, along with pain medicine. In some cases, they can fit you with a soft, bandage contact lens to make your eye more comfortable while it heals.
In severe corneal abrasions, your doctor may tape your eye shut and have you wear a patch over your eye to stop light from affecting it.
When your eye is healing, please do not rub it. Do not wear contact lenses (unless they prescribe a bandage contact) either until your doctor says it is safe to do so. Wear sunglasses to reduce any significant discomfort caused by sunlight.
You should completely recover from a minor eye scratch without permanent damage. However, more severe corneal abrasions can cause eye infections, scars, and other issues.
If you do not take care of these problems, you may experience long-term vision issues. Report any unusual symptoms to your eye doctor. This includes a return of pain following treatment.
A minor eye scratch should heal alone in one to three days. More severe corneal abrasions may take longer.
Most eye scratches are typically treated at home. Eye scratches are common and usually heal on their own, along with some at-home care.
If your doctor gave you certain care instructions, be sure to follow them.
Many eye scratches can be prevented by taking some simple, common-sense precautions. For example, always wear protective eyewear or safety glasses in work environments with airborne debris, especially in welding environments.
Proper eye protection should also be used when performing yard work, using power tools, and playing sports.
If you wear contact lenses, always follow your doctor’s instructions on how long to wear them, when to discard them, and the correct contact lens care solutions to use.
If you experience a scratched cornea related to dry eyes, see an eye doctor and follow the dry eye treatment they recommend.
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