Corneal Abrasions

The cornea is the clear, outer window of the eye. A corneal abrasion is simply a scratch in the epithelium (skin), or the thin, outer layer of the cornea. Abrasions usually heal in a short time period, sometimes within a day. Deeper or larger scratches may take up to a week. The cornea has a tremendous number of nerve endings, which makes any damage to the cornea very painful.

A corneal abrasion is simply a scratch in
the outer layer of the cornea

Symptoms of corneal abrasions:

• History of recent eye trauma
• Watery eyes
• Acute pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision
• The feeling that there's something in your eye

Causes of corneal abrasions:

• Foreign object in the eye
• Contact lenses
• Chemicals
• Blow to the eye
• Scratched eye (fingernails, hairbrushes, tree branches, etc).

Diagnosing corneal abrasions:

	Your doctor will examine your eyes with a magnifying instrument

Only your eye doctor can identify corneal abrasions by examining your eyes with special instruments.  Your doctor will check your eye, including under your eyelid, to make sure there are no foreign materials present. Depending on the type of injury, other tests may be performed to uncover possible deeper injuries, including occasional x-rays of the eye.

Treating corneal abrasions:

Occasionally the eye will have to be patched, but modern day therapy for abrasions usually involves leaving the eye open and prescribing antibiotics to help prevent infection and pain medication for comfort. Sometimes a contact lens is placed in the eye as a temporary bandage to help the abrasion resolve more quickly.  It is important that you do not rub your eye, especially during the healing process.  Following specific doctor instructions is also critical, including keeping followup appointments.