What is a corneal abrasion?
A corneal abrasion refers to a scratch on the eyeball. It is usually very painful and will affect vision for several days or weeks until it heals.
A corneal abrasion can occur from simple exposures such as working in the garage, gardening, or standing in a workshop. Many times a small piece of dust, wood, rust, or metal may become airborne and land in the eye itself. The natural reaction is to rub the eye or to flush it out with water or sailne. During this process, the cornea, which is the external part of the eyeball, will become scratched.
The pain from a corneal abrasion is very severe. Patients have difficulty opening their eyes fully because light and wind will irritate them. The muscles of the eyes are circular and they will clamp down, causing symptoms such as headaches, eye tearing, and runny nose. People with corneal abrasions have a very difficult time reading, watching television, or driving safely.
The only way to diagnose a corneal abrasion is with a special eye exam performed by your doctor. Your physician will instill a few drops of alkcaine tetracaine which is a numbing medication. The doctor will then use a special fluorescein dye and ultraviolet light to diagnose exactly where the corneal abrasion is located.
On average, it takes three or four weeks for the corneal abrasion to fully heal because the eye has a special type of skin lining. You will be advised to use special eyedrops, painkillers, and have close follow-up with an eye specialist. In general, most people heal very well without permanent problems from a corneal abrasion.
If you have any concerns that you scratched your eye and have a corneal abrasion, always talk with your doctor or go to an urgent care right away. West Oaks urgent care is open seven days a week to help you diagnose this condition.
A corneal abrasion can occur from simple exposures such as working in the garage, gardening, or standing in a workshop. Many times a small piece of dust, wood, rust, or metal may become airborne and land in the eye itself. The natural reaction is to rub the eye or to flush it out with water or sailne. During this process, the cornea, which is the external part of the eyeball, will become scratched.
The pain from a corneal abrasion is very severe. Patients have difficulty opening their eyes fully because light and wind will irritate them. The muscles of the eyes are circular and they will clamp down, causing symptoms such as headaches, eye tearing, and runny nose. People with corneal abrasions have a very difficult time reading, watching television, or driving safely.
The only way to diagnose a corneal abrasion is with a special eye exam performed by your doctor. Your physician will instill a few drops of alkcaine tetracaine which is a numbing medication. The doctor will then use a special fluorescein dye and ultraviolet light to diagnose exactly where the corneal abrasion is located.
On average, it takes three or four weeks for the corneal abrasion to fully heal because the eye has a special type of skin lining. You will be advised to use special eyedrops, painkillers, and have close follow-up with an eye specialist. In general, most people heal very well without permanent problems from a corneal abrasion.
If you have any concerns that you scratched your eye and have a corneal abrasion, always talk with your doctor or go to an urgent care right away. West Oaks urgent care is open seven days a week to help you diagnose this condition.
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