Corneal abrasion eye care treatment

A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea – the clear, protective outer layer of the eye. Almost anything that gets in the eye can cause a corneal abrasion: dust, sand, dirt, hair or fur. Most corneal abrasions aren’t serious and will heal on their own within a day or two. But if the abrasion becomes infected, it can lead to a serious eye problem called a corneal ulcer. In other cases, the abrasion can cause inflammation inside the eye called iritis.

Symptoms of corneal abrasion

Symptoms of corneal abrasion include:

• Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
• Watery eyes
• Blurry vision
• The area around the eye is red or sensitive

Treatment for corneal abrasion

If you think you might have a corneal abrasion, see your eye doctor as soon as possible. Don’t try to remove an object from your eye, and don’t rub or touch your eyes. Instead, rinse your eye with clean water or saline. Blinking several times in a row and pulling your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid may also help.

Your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. They may include antibiotic eyedrops and ointments, medicated eyedrops to help ease the pain or prescription painkillers. You may need to wear a patch over your eye while it heals.

Why Aurora Health Care?

At Aurora, we strive to offer convenient, compassionate care.

• Our ophthalmologists are on call 24/7, so if you have an eye emergency, we’re there to help.
• We offer hundreds of specialists under one roof. If your doctor notices another health issue during your exam, like symptoms of diabetes, he or she can get you an appointment with another Aurora specialist right away.
• Our clinics, hospitals and surgery centers provide care for a whole spectrum of eye issues.
• Aurora Vision Centers provide optometry and ophthalmology services for your entire family at a location near you.