Corneal injury

Alternative names:

corneal abrasion; corneal burn

Treatment:

Severe eye pain needs to be evaluated in an emergency care center or by an ophthalmologist immediately. Simple corneal injuries are treated by removing the foreign material if present, and covering the eye with a patch to let the cornea heal itself. Do not try to remove a foreign body in the eye without professional assistance because the risk of further injury is great. A particle that is large enough to damage the cornea may not be seen without magnification or staining of the eye. Eye drops are often instilled to temporarily numb the eye while the foreign body is removed.

Antibiotic ointment or drops may be prescribed if there is a risk of infection. Rest and patching both eyes has a pain-relieving effect by decreasing stimulation to the nerve endings involved with the injury. Driving, use of power tools, or other potentially dangerous situations should be avoided while the eye is patched since depth perception is altered.

Expectations (prognosis):

Corneal injuries normally heal very rapidly with treatment, and the eye should be back to normal within 2 days.

Complications:

Severe corneal injury may require corneal transplantation surgery.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if the injury has not significantly improved in 2 days with treatment.