Are you familiar with corneal abrasion or the condition of having a scratched cornea? This happens when the outermost layer of the eye, or the cornea will get scratched or damaged. This can be a painful experience, causing you to have blurry vision and increased sensitivity to light.
Chief Causes of Corneal Abrasion
There are several reasons why your cornea can get scratched. For instance, a foreign object accidentally gets inside your eye or when you rub your eyes too hard. You can even scratch your eye when applying eyeliner or mascara. In fact, paper cuts on the eye can be a common incident for many patients.
Another culprit is when you use contact lenses for too long, which can dry out and weaken the cornea. You may also pull out the lens in such a rough manner that can scratch the surface of your eyes. There is also the possibility of wearing dirty or torn lenses that will cause irritation and scratches.
You also need to understand that rubbing your eyes too hard will also cause it to scratch the cornea. This is quite the case when there is something stuck in your eye. The lack of moisture thereof can also make the cornea fragile and prone to injury.
Speaking of injuries, it is possible for a person working in construction, woodworking, welding, or simply doing outdoor activities to catch flying debris in their eyes. This is also common for active individuals who are engaged in sports where they can expect ball, elbow, or dust to hit the eye. Particles blown by the wind can also get caught in your eyes while you are on the beach or when on a dusty road.
Immediate Remedies for Corneal Abrasion
It is important that you blink and rinse your eyes with clean water or a saline solution to flush out the external object from your eyes. But you should avoid rubbing your eyes too much because it can only worsen the abrasion. If possible, you may use artificial tears to lessen the discomfort. More importantly, you have to see a doctor if the pain, redness, or blurred vision will persist.
What to Do with Severe Conditions
When you feel intense pain, blurry vision, redness, or sensitivity to light, then you probably have severe corneal abrasion. You should not leave this untreated because it can lead to infection, scarring, and loss of vision. It is important that you blink rapidly to help flush out the debris. Avoid the use of contact lenses yet because this can only worsen the damage. If possible, wear sunglasses to help with the sensitivity to light and protect your eye from further infection. Moreover, you have to seek immediate medical attention to avoid further damage.
How Corneal Abrasion Gets Treated
An ophthalmologist or optometrist will assess the damage first and then provide the best treatment to prevent infection, pain, and complications. The diagnosis and examination will take place using a fluorescein eye staining test that will help highlight the scratch. A microscope will also be used to check the depth and severity of the scratch.
There are also several medical options that can be used to treat corneal abrasion. These include antibiotic eye drops or ointments, pain relief drops and medication, bandage contact lenses, eye patching, or even a surgical procedure. When you encounter a mild abrasion, it will take about a day or two to heal, while moderate to severe abrasions require a few days to a week of healing.
However, deep abrasions can take weeks to heal with a risk of scarring the cornea. Thus, it is important that you consider consulting your doctor who specialises in cornea care. If you suspect a condition like this, you can make an appointment with us right away! Give us a call to find out more about our services through our eye care specialists.
