If you have a scratched eye, here are some things you should—and should not—do: DO rinse your eye with saline solution or clean water. If you don't have an eyecup, use a small, clean glass. Rest the rim of the glass on the bone at the base of your eye socket, below your lower eyelid. The water or saline solution may flush the foreign object from your eye.
DO blink. Blinking can help get rid of small bits of dust or sand in your eye. DO pull your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid. The lashes from your lower eyelid may be able to brush away any foreign object caught underneath your upper eye lid.
DO wear sunglasses. If your eye is sensitive to light because of the scratch, sunglasses will make you more comfortable while you heal. DON'T rub your eye. Rubbing your eye can make the scratch worse. The use of a special bandage contact lens and prescription eye drops can also be used to expedite the healing of more serious abrasions. Most corneal abrasions result in a full recovery when treated right away by a vision care professional.
However, if left untreated abrasions can lead to corneal ulcers resulting in severe vision loss. Taking simple, common-sense precautions can help prevent corneal abrasions.
Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes while working in environments with airborne debris. This includes doing yard work, using power tools, welding and playing sports. If wearing contacts, always follow the instructions regarding how long to wear them, when they should be discarded and the proper ways to clean the lens.
They will recommend a dry eye treatment to increase good tear flow to help lubricate the eye. Call or visit ReVisionEyes. Share this post:. The biggest difference?
Corneal lacerations are partial or full cuts across the cornea. Unlike corneal abrasions, which can be caused by microscopic objects, corneal lacerations are caused by sharp or forceful objects hitting the eye directly.
Corneal lacerations require surgery to seal the cut and protect the eye from infection. They are much more likely to cause vision damage or loss than abrasions. After surgery, you may have to wear an eye patch for a week or two and take medication for the pain. Your eye doctor will want to schedule follow-up appointments to check for related issues like detached retinas and glaucoma.
Some people are more at risk of corneal abrasions than others. People who work in construction, factory, or laboratory settings and athletes tend to be the most at risk. Anytime you are in a situation that puts your eyes at risk, wear the appropriate protective gear. Secure and well-fitting goggles are the best way to prevent corneal abrasions.
If you wear contact lenses, make sure you are cleaning them daily, taking them out to sleep, and replacing them when needed. If they feel dry or appear dirty, clean them more thoroughly or allow them to soak in solution longer. Corneal abrasions can be simple to fix, but if they get out of hand, they can cause worse problems and damage your vision permanently! Why take the risk? When the fire bell sounded, Dan Gibbs was left with three bad choices—throw on his glasses which could interfere with his gear , try to insert his contacts while riding to the fire, or not see what he was doing once he got there.
Home Meet the Physicians Philip D. Campbell, M. Leslie B. Cunningham, M. Tobin Taylor, M. Kirk Haun, M. Matthew M. Cole, M. Treatment for a corneal abrasion depends on the severity of the wound and the cause. Minor abrasions sometimes can be treated with non-preserved lubricating drops to keep your eye moist and comfortable while your eye's natural healing process takes place. As a precaution, even superficial abrasions sometimes are treated with antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection during healing.
Superficial corneal abrasions tend to heal quickly — usually within two or three days. Some corneal abrasions may require an antibiotic ointment that stays on the eye longer, a steroid to decrease inflammation, and something to relieve pain and light sensitivity.
Large, deep corneal abrasions take longer to heal and can cause a permanent scar that might affect vision. In some cases, scratched corneas are treated with what's known as a bandage contact lens. When used with prescription eye drops, these special lenses provide pain relief and sometimes can speed healing. Typically, regular contact lenses should not be worn over a corneal abrasion because of increased risk of an infection developing under the lens. Your eye doctor will tell you when it's safe to resume wearing your contacts following a scratched cornea.
Depending on the treatment and severity of the injury, your eye doctor may schedule a follow-up exam as soon as 24 hours after initial treatment. When treated right away, most corneal abrasions heal quickly with no permanent vision loss. But some deeper abrasions that occur in the center of the cornea directly in front of the pupil can leave a scar and result in a loss of visual acuity.
If left untreated, some deep corneal abrasions may cause a corneal ulcer that can result in severe vision loss.
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