Corneal abrasion is a scratch in the cornea or eye. 

According to a study in Medscape, it is a common condition affecting around 12-13% of the US population annually. 

The eye injury can cause infection or severe symptoms like eye pain if not treated promptly. 

Doctors usually prescribe medication to treat the symptoms caused due to corneal abrasion. 

You can prevent the worsening condition with first aid treatment and home remedies. 

Read along to learn the corneal abrasion treatment, first aid tips, and prevention. 

Treatments

People who experience corneal abrasion have blurred vision, eye pain, and ocular redness.

The corneal abrasion treatments hence, depend on the symptoms. 

Doctors recommend medications and other treatment options according to the symptoms. 

Fact
Traditionally, eye patches were recommended in the treatment of corneal abrasions. But, multiple well-designed studies show that patching does not help and may hinder healing.

Moisturizing eye drops

These eye drops lubricate the watch to keep them comfortable during healing. 

Moisturizing eye drops containing artificial tears add a soothing layer to the cornea. 

These lubricating eye drops effectively relieve the symptoms of corneal abrasion due to dry eyes. 

Your doctors might prescribe Eyemist E/D 10 ml as lubricating eye drops.

Pain relieving medication

Corneal abrasion may cause pain and inflammation in the eye

Topical Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help to reduce pain.

These medications block Cyclooxygenase, which eventually restricts the production of prostaglandins. 

Prostaglandin production prevention helps reduce inflammation and pain in the eye. 

Doctors usually prescribe NSAID eye drops as pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medicine.

Antibiotics

Artificial Tears
Antibiotics

Doctors may swipe your eye with a swab in cases of infection in or near the abrasion. 

These swabs can be tested for cultures to identify the bacteria. 

They may treat the infection with antibiotic eye drops depending on the results. 

They may prescribe Azithral eye drops, Besix eye drops, or Milflox eye drops

They can prescribe an antibiotic ointment to apply to the affected eye for severe infections in corneal abrasions for a few days.

Dilating eye drops

Depending on its severity, an eye drop may be instilled to dilate the pupil. 

The eye pain and sensitivity to sunlight during a corneal abrasion is caused by muscle spasm constricting the pupil. 

Dilating eye drops help the pupil rest this muscle and treat eye pain. 

Medications for Corneal AbrasionApproximate Price
Eyemist E/D 10 ml$13.66
Ns Aid 5 ml Eye drop$1.34
Azithral Eye Drops 0.1% (3ml)$15.50
Besix Eye Drop 0.6% (5ml)$14.90
Milflox 0.5% 5 ml$2.93
Warning
All these medication are prescription based and should be used according to your doctor’s prescription.

Special Contact lenses

Doctors prescribe special contact lenses to treat abrasion in some severe cases.

These bandage contact lenses are soft lenses used in place of a pressure patch for pain relief. 

It is worn to protect the front part of the eye during healing.

First Aid Tips

Corneal abrasion refers to an injury in the cornea. In case of a scratched cornea, first aid can help to relieve the pain.

It can also prevent the injury from getting severe.

You can practice the following first aid tips in case of corneal abrasion, 

  • Check the eye for small particles that may be stuck under the eyelid and could cause infection. 
  • Wash your eyes with clean water or saline once or twice. It helps remove any particles or to soothe the eye surface. 
  • Avoid rubbing or pressing on the eye.

Avoid rinsing the eye more than a few times. Doing so can make the situation worse.

Corneal abrasion home treatment

Corneal abrasion usually gets healed within a few days to a week. 

The following treatments can help you speed up the healing process. 

Dim the light

In a corneal abrasion, eye pain is caused due to irritation of the ciliary nerves. 

The spasms of your ciliary muscles result in the shape change of your eye lens. 

These muscle spasms may irritate your trigeminal nerve and increase light sensitivity.

Keep your lights dim to avoid irritating your eyes. 

Dimming your screens may also aid in the relief of your eye pain.

Cold compress

Applying a cold compress over your closed eyelids may help reduce inflammation and pain. 

You can make a cold compress by putting ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrapping the bag in a cloth. 

A wet cloth can also work as a cold compress. 

You can keep the cold compress over your eye for up to 20 minutes.

When to see a doctor?

Corneal Abrasion
Corneal Abrasion

Corneal abrasion can be a mild condition, but in severe injuries, it can show severe symptoms.

You should seek emergency care if, 

  • There is eye pain or increased photophobia after a scratch or trauma to the eyeball.
  • Something hits the eye with high force or with high speed.
  • A foreign object is lodged in the eye or eyelid or under the eyelid.
  • There is a loss of vision.

Prevention

Corneal abrasions are painful and usually clear up within one or two days. 

But, in serious injuries, they can turn severe in symptoms. 

Hence, the following tips can help you prevent eye injury, 

  • Wear glasses if you’re out in windy weather, as they offer protection.
  • If you feel grittiness in the eye, resist the urge to rub your eye.
  • You need to wash the eye out as quickly as possible after you think something may have blown into it.
  • Wear protective eye wears like helmets to avoid eye injuries due to sports.
  • Avoid getting sharp objects like fingernails, tree branches, and gardening sticks near the eyes.

Takeaway

Corneal abrasion treatment revolves around the symptoms experienced by the patients. 

These treatment options include antibiotics, pain-relieving, lubricating, and dilating eye drops. 

In some cases, special contact lenses can also be prescribed. 

You can prevent severe injury symptoms with proper first aid, medications, and home remedies. 

If you experience an eye injury, contact your doctor to avoid worsening the injury. 

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