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.
