Corneal Abrasion

What Is Corneal Abrasion?

Corneal abrasions are a common eye issue/injury that involves a scratch or scrape on the surface of the cornea — the outermost portion of the eye. These abrasions can happen in a number of different ways, ranging from sports injuries to the occasional accidental scratching of the eye.

Symptoms of Corneal Abrasion

Symptoms of corneal abrasions are typically mild to moderate, and can include:

  • The feeling of having something stuck in the eye
  • Redness
  • Pain or burning on the eye
  • Blurry or hazy vision
  • Sensitivity to light

Causes of Corneal Abrasion

Corneal abrasions and scratches can happen in several ways, including accidents and sports injuries. A very common cause is simply rubbing your eyes too hard and scratching the cornea with your fingernail.

Corneal Abrasion Treatment Options

There are several different options for addressing corneal abrasions, all of which depend on the severity and location of the abrasion itself. Your DMEI ophthalmologist will examine your eye in order to determine the ideal approach.

Wearing an eye patch may be recommended, protecting the eye and limiting blinking that may make the abrasion worse. Moisturizing eye drops or ointments can often be used to soothe the eye and provide a protective barrier. Your ophthalmologist may also prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent an eye infection from occurring. In some cases, a special contact lens may be utilized to minimize pain and encourage faster healing.

Healing time can vary, with smaller abrasions taking as little as a few days, and larger scrapes taking one to two weeks to fully heal.

Corneal Abrasion Treatment at Dean McGee Eye Institute

Corneal abrasions may not be as serious as other eye issues, but it’s still recommended to have a doctor examine and recommend treatment for faster healing. Early treatment can help prevent the injury from worsening and becoming an entirely different issue altogether.

If you’ve recently suffered a corneal abrasion, the doctors at the Dean McGee Eye Institute can help! Call 405.271.1095 or 800.787.9017 today to make an appointment. We’d love to provide you or your loved one with effective relief and quicker healing.