Cornea & External Disease

Corneal Abrasions

Symptoms

An abrasion, or scratch, on the corneal surface can create a lot of pain, foreign body sensation, redness, light sensitivity, tearing and lid swelling.

Causes

Corneal abrasions can come from finger contact, fists, paper injuries, foreign bodies, contact lens wear, branch injuries and anything that could scratch the cornea.

Treatment Options

A variety of treatment options exist for corneal abrasions including antibiotic ointments or drops, bandage soft contact lenses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, patches, oral pain medication—never anesthetics to the cornea.

Most small abrasions heal in 2–3 days. In severe cases, it can take weeks. If the scratch becomes infected, a scar could form and result in permanent decrease in vision.

Additional Information

For more information, visit:

• WebMD
• skinsight

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