Corneal Abrasion
Also known as Scratched Cornea, Eye Scratch, Corneal Scratch, Fluorescein Staining, Contact Lens Abrasion
Bottom Line
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the clear front window of the eye. It is painful but often heals fast with the right care.
A corneal abrasion is a scratch or raw spot on the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. It can cause sharp pain, tearing, light sensitivity, and a gritty feeling 1.
Common causes include fingernails, paper edges, makeup brushes, dust, metal, plant matter, and contact lenses.
Most simple abrasions heal with lubrication, infection prevention, and close follow-up. Contact lens wearers need extra caution because infection risk is higher 2.
How It Is Diagnosed
The doctor checks vision first, then looks closely at the cornea.
- Fluorescein dye. A safe orange dye makes the scratch glow green under blue light.
- Lid flip. The doctor looks under the upper lid for trapped grit.
- Foreign body check. Metal, glass, or plant material must be removed safely.
- Contact lens history. Contact lens wear changes antibiotic choice and follow-up.
Diagnosis is clinical and includes checking for infection or penetrating injury 1.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on comfort, healing, and infection prevention.
- Lubricating drops or ointment. These reduce rubbing while the surface heals.
- Antibiotic drops or ointment. These may be used to prevent infection, especially in contact lens wearers.
- Pain control. Anti-inflammatory drops can reduce pain in selected patients 3.
- No contact lenses. Do not wear lenses until the doctor says the cornea has healed.
- Follow-up. Larger or contact lens abrasions often need a recheck.
Evidence for routine antibiotic prevention is limited, but doctors often treat higher-risk abrasions to avoid infection 2.
Prevention
You can lower the chance of another abrasion.
- Wear safety glasses. Use them for yard work, grinding, drilling, and sports.
- Trim infant nails. Babies often scratch a caregiver's eye by accident.
- Handle contacts carefully. Wash hands and replace lenses as directed.
- Treat dry eye. Dryness can make the cornea easier to scratch.
- Do not rub a painful eye. Rubbing can make a scratch larger.
Common Questions About Corneal Abrasion
Next Steps
- 1Rinse the eye with clean saline or water if dust or chemicals got in.
- 2Remove contact lenses and do not put them back in.
- 3Seek urgent care for chemical splash, sharp injury, vision loss, or contact lens pain with redness.
- 4Use prescribed drops exactly as directed.
- 5Wear safety glasses for work, yard tools, and sports.
Find specialists for Corneal Abrasion
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