Painful scratch or scrape in the corneal surface is known as a corneal abrasion. It may occur due to any injury to the eye. This article gives information about causes, symptoms and treatment for abrasions in the cornea.
Causes of Corneal Abrasions
- Injury may occur to the cornea when something enter into the eye, for example, if the wind blows a particle of dried leaf into the eye or paint chips fall in the eye. This material can scratch the cornea of the eye.
- A foreign body, may it be wood or sand, may settle under the upper eyelid and cause scratches on the corneal surface whenever you blink.
- An ash of hot cigarette falling in the eye can cause abrasion in the cornea.
- A common cause may occur when a child pokes your eye accidentally.
- If you wear contact lens for longer time than recommended, it may cause injury to the corneal surface.
- Eye infections may cause injury to the corneal surface. This injury is not considered to be a corneal abrasion technically but it may be permanent or temporary.
- Unprotected eye exposure to UV light from welding arcs or sun lamps can cause change in the corneal surface which resembles corneal abrasions.
Symptoms of Corneal Abrasions
- Loss of vision or blurred vision
- Eyes tearing
- You may experience pain in the eye when you are exposed to a bright light.
- Muscles spasm surrounding the eye cause you to squint.
Treatment for Corneal Abrasions
Depending on the diagnosis, an ophthalmologist will treat the eye condition.
- Antibiotic ointment or eyedrops may be prescribed. Some ophthalmologists use steroid eye drops in order to reduce inflammation and avoid potential scarring.
- To stop spasm of the muscle, eye drops may be placed in your eyes. These eye drops may relieve pain and sensitivity to light. However, they may also result in blurring of vision.
- If any rusty metallic deposits are found in the injured cornea, an ophthalmologist may recommend you tetanus vaccination.
- Anesthetic eye drops can be used to relieve the eye pain, but these drops interfere with the natural healing process. Hence, they are not prescribed to use at home.
- Your doctor may prescribe oral pain pills.
