Corneal Abrasion Treatments

Treatment

Minor scratches usually heal within 1-2 days. Your eye may be patched for improved comfort. In some cases, your eye doctor will place a contact lens in the eye to help relieve the discomfort and improve healing. The doctor will likely ask you to come back often to make sure the abrasion is healing.

Treatment may include:

Removing a Foreign Object

The doctor will remove the foreign object by flushing the eye with saline or by using a cotton swab, needle, or other tool. You may have to wear a patch over the eye; however, a 2006 meta-analysis (ie, analysis of a group of studies on the same topic) found that eye-patching did not decrease pain and may actually slow healing. * But most eye specialists feel that when done properly, a pressure patch on the eye, which prevents blinking, does in fact increase comfort and speed healing.

Medication

Medications may include:

Antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent infection
Pain medications as needed

Self-care

Always go to an eye doctor immediately if your eye is bothering you. Besides treatment prescribed by your eye doctor, self-care may include:

Do not rub your eye. Rubbing may worsen the abrasion.
If you are not wearing an eye patch, moist compresses may help relieve the pain.
Do not put your contact lenses back in your eye until you get your doctor's approval.

If you are diagnosed with a corneal abrasion, follow your doctor's instructions .

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.