How To Treat A Corneal Abrasion

Developing searing pain, blurred vision, eye redness, or sensitivity to light after getting something stuck in the eye may be the result of a scratched cornea. The cornea is a clear, glassy coating along the front of the eye, and it is very sensitive. If even the slightest bit of debris gets in an individual's eye, it can scratch the cornea and temporarily affect their vision. Fortunately, corneal abrasions heal much faster than scrapes on other parts of the body. Here are a few things individuals can do to treat a corneal abrasion now.

Avoid Rubbing The Eye

One of the most important things to do for a corneal abrasion is avoid rubbing the eye, but this can actually be challenging. Individuals might instinctively feel like rubbing their eye if they think there is something in there, but the added pressure can worsen the abrasion or further scratch the cornea if there is still something in their eye. Eye rubbing is also problematic because their fingers may introduce bacteria to their eye and cause an infection that further delays healing. Sadly, not rubbing the eyes is often easier said than done. Doctors may suggest wearing an eye patch for a few days, which will remind patients not to rub their eye every time they want to, and it can protect the eye from unconscious rubbing while they are sleeping. Other tricks for not rubbing the eyes while waiting for a corneal abrasion to heal include wearing gloves or playing with a fidget toy to keep the hands busy.

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Flush The Eye With Saline

The best way of getting something out of the eye without worsening a corneal abrasion is by flushing it. When individuals flush the eye with saline, they are essentially running liquid over the surface of the eye to wash away foreign materials. Another benefit is saline solutions have a lightly antibacterial effect, so they can help reduce the risk of infection. Patients who want to try this option should avoid using a homemade saline solution because there are cases where individuals have gotten infections from trying to use tap water. Instead, patients must use a saline solution specifically designed for cleaning the eye or a contact lens solution. They will also need to hold their eye open and allow the saline solution to flow over the eye freely. If desired, they may blink away the excess saline and repeat the flushing method a few times to thoroughly clear the eye. Patients can do this whenever they feel like something is in their eye, so it is a good way of dealing with eye discomfort without rubbing them.

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Inspect Eye For Stuck Particles

Any sort of particle in the eye can worsen a corneal abrasion, but it may be hard to tell if there is actually something there because the abrasion itself often feels like there is something in the eye. Therefore, patients need to inspect eye for stuck particles like eyelashes, dirt, grit, or anything else causing the gritty sensation. The easiest way to do this is by using a mirror in a well-lit room and opening the eye as wide as possible and see if there is anything visible in it. Patients should look up, down, left, and right while gently pulling the eyelids away from the surface of the eye to see as much of the eyeball as possible. If individuals see something there, they may gently touch it with a clean, dry hand to remove it. Keep in mind this is only a good option if the fragment is loose on the surface of the eye. If patients have something actually embedded in the surface of their eye, they should seek immediate emergency medical treatment.

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Use Of Antibiotic Eye Drops Or Ointment

Antibiotic eye drops are essentially an eye-safe method of applying antibiotics directly to the eye. Some of them may have other medications included to help heal the eye even more. Eye drops are fairly easy to use, since patients drop the liquid into their open eye. In the case of an ointment, patients may need to apply it along the inner rim of their eyelid and then blink to spread it on their eyeball. The use of antibiotic eye drops or ointment is only recommended if a doctor tells patients to use them because they are not necessary for lighter corneal abrasions. In cases with more severe abrasions, antibiotics are useful because they help fight off infections. However, patients should keep in mind if they use antibiotics, they need to follow the full course of medication instead of throwing the drops away once their eye gets better. Using an incomplete dosage of antibiotics can allow some bacteria in the eye to survive and develop a resistance to the medication.

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Use Of Bandage Contact Lenses

Bandage contact lenses may not be a popular treatment for light abrasions, but they are the ideal way for dealing with more severe cornea scratches. They are clear like a typical contact lens, so individuals can still see out of them, unlike a usual bandage. This type of contact lens keeps the eyelids from rubbing against the abrasion, so the edges of the abrasion do not get irritated and delay healing. It also gives a stable environment where the cornea can heal without any interruption. This helpful device can greatly manage the pain and sensitivity associated with a corneal abrasion, so patients can continue to work and go to school without having their vision impaired. If individuals plan on using bandage contact lenses, they normally need to use an antibiotic drop to prevent infection. In most cases, the contact lenses are installed by an eye doctor, and patients will keep the lens on for a week or two until their doctor removes it.