Corneal Abrasion

A scratch on the eyeball is a very afflictive experience, as anyone who has had a corneal abrasion can testify. Corneal epithelial abrasions can be small or large, but they usually heal without staid sequelae. Contact with dust, dirt, sand, wood shavings, metal particles or even an edge of a piece of paper can scrape or cut the cornea. But while they are healing they can cause immoderate tearing, redness, blurred vision and light sensitivity. Other common injuries to the cornea comprise splash accidents contact with chemicals ranging from antifreeze to household cleaners. The conjunctival retroaction to corneal wounding has been known since Mann first observed that peripheral corneal abrasions heal by the sliding of limbal cells to cover the epithelial defect. Treatment of corneal abrasion is sophistication itself: usually a little antibiotic ( ointment or drops ) is prescribed. An antibiotic may be used following an abrasion as the open area of the epithelium provokes infection. In addition, a bandage contact lens may be applied or the eye patched for additional pain relief. A fluorescein stain of the eyes of the baby who won't stop crying may show a scratch caused by a too long, sharp little fingernail rubbed fortuitously in the eye as the baby roots around. Occassionally the surface of the cornea is treated with a special instrument in order to help form better connotations between the corneal layers.

A corneal abrasion usually occurs because of minor trauma of the ocular surface. This clear tissue of the eye is known as the cornea. It is diagnosed by history ("I got something in my eye and boy it hurts!") and an exam of the eye using a innocuous yellow dye (fluorescein) illuminated in a dark room with an ultraviolet light. Generally the scratch is superficial, and this is called a corneal abrasion. An antibiotic may be used following an abrasion as the open area of the epithelium tempts infection. Nevertheless, if one covers more than one-third of the cornea, it may take an extra day or two for the epithelium to completely recover the front of the cornea. Small abrasions may be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye-drops for pain relief, with or without topical antibiotics. Larger corneal abrasions are often treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye-drops and topical antibiotics. Basically, an anesthetic is used in the eye doctor's office to ease the pain and to aid in the examination. Minor corneal abrasions thus treated will heal semi-miraculously nightlong; deeper abrasions may take a day or two longer. Antibiotic drops are presumably in order, and perhaps patching if it really seems to help. Spontaneous corneal abrasions may be linked with map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy or recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. Overall use of bedtime ointments or lubricants may also help in preventing isochronal erosions.

Causes of Corneal-abrasion

The common Causes of Corneal-abrasion :

• Injury (eg, fingers, fingernails, paper, mascara brushes, tree branches, self-inflicted rubbing, pepper-spray exposure, automotive frontal air bags)
• Blowing dust, sand or debris
• Rigid contact lenses may break or chip, causing punctate epithelial keratopathy.
• A foreign body, such as a piece of sand or wood, may sojourn under the upper lid and cause scratches of the corneal surface every time that you blink.
• A common cause of a corneal abrasion is a young child inadvertently poking you in the eye.
• Exposure of the unprotected eye to ultraviolet light from sun lamps or welding arcs can cause variations in the corneal surface resembling corneal abrasions.
• A fingernail, tree branch, or other object scratching the eye
• Not protecting the eyes during surgery (The cornea dries when under general anesthesia and you
• Underlying medical conditions are other medical conditions which may eventually cause Corneal abrasion.
• Keratitis or keratoconjunctivitis - Diffuse punctate fluorescein staining of the cornea, with or without conjunctivitis

Symptoms of Corneal-abrasion

Some common Symptoms of Corneal-abrasion :

• Tearing of the eyes
• Blurred vision or loss of vision
• Eye pain when exposed to a bright light
• Sensitivity to light
• The surround eye appears red, with prominent small blood vessels.
• A feeling that a foreign object is in your eye
• Scratch on cornea
• Watery eye

Treatment of Corneal-abrasion

• Corneal injuries produced by organic matter or dirt, as well as those related with tissue necrosis and those associated with ingress of dirt or organic material into the conjunctival sac, should be regarded dirty (ie, tetanus-prone) injuries and require boosters within 5 years.
• Patients must be informed about the signs and symptoms, such as foreign-body sensation, conjunctival injection, and decreasing vision, so that intricacies can be treated promptly.
• You can also fill a sink with water and topple your head into the water with your eyes open.
• Over-the-counter artificial tears or lubricants may improve the discomfort in your eye.
• You can also fill a sink with water and plunge your head into the water with your eyes open.
• Avoid contact lenses
• Antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent infection
• If there is any evidence of rusty metallic deposits within the injured cornea, your ophthalmologist may recommend a tetanus vaccination if your immunization status is not up-to-date.