Cornea & External Disease

Corneal Erosions

This condition is seen in eyes that have suffered a sharp abrading injury (paper cuts, tree branch injuries, fingernails) or in patients with pre-existing Corneal Basement Membrane Dystrophy.

Symptoms

The injury causes a corneal abrasion that heals fast (1–3 days). Then, suddenly, usually in the middle of the night, or when one wakes up in the morning, symptoms recur with pain and feeling that something is in the eye. This is caused because injured cells soak up tears when the eyes are closed all night and, when one wakes up, the lid rips off the swollen cells and one feels as if there is a brick in the eye. Sometimes the pain goes away in 1–3 hours, but it may persist for days. Other complaints are light sensitivity, eyelid edema and decreased vision.

Treatment Options

A variety of treatment options include:

• Frequent use of lubricating drops
• The simplest, safest, cheapest and best treatment is the use of a salt ointment (Muro 128) at bedtime for at least 6 months. This dehydrates the cells and gives them a better chance to heal on the eye
• Systemic tetracycline or topical steroids
• Bandage soft contact lenses
• Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Anterior stromal puncture
• Epithelial debridement
• PTK—Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy. A laser is used to polish the surface of the cornea with the expectation that stronger cells, with stronger adhesion to the eye, are made

Additional Information

For more information, visit:

• skinsight
• Handbook of Ocular Disease Management

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