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The cornea is the clear covering of the front of the eye that bends, or refracts, light rays as they enter the eye. Injuries, such as scratches or cuts, on the surface of the cornea are known as corneal abrasions. Due to the amount of nerve cells in the cornea, a corneal abrasion is usually painful. The pain a patient experiences with a corneal abrasion lets them know that it is a serious condition that needs to be addressed immediately.
A corneal abrasion is a scrape or scratch on the clear front surface of the eye that can occur as a result of the following:
Patients with a corneal abrasion may experience some of the following symptoms:
Patients with a corneal abrasion may be unaware that they have the condition until symptoms begin.
Patients exhibiting symptoms of a corneal abrasion should be seen by an ophthalmologist. During the eye examination, some of the following tests may be conducted:
Depending on the cause of the condition, a corneal abrasion may be treated with a combination of the following methods:
Pain medication or eye drops to reduce muscle spasms may be prescribed. It is important for patients with a corneal abrasion to avoid touching or rubbing their eyes. In most cases, a corneal abrasion can be effectively treated with no permanent complications and typically heals within a matter of days. Depending on the severity of the corneal abrasion, a corneal transplantation may be recommended.
Corneal abrasions may be prevented with the following methods:
