Scratched eye
Symptoms
- Feels like sand in the eye
- Pain when blinking
- Watery eyes
Diagnostics
Determined by a thorough eye examination
Treatment
- Eye drops
What is a scratched eye?
The medical term for scratching or scraping the eye is “corneal abrasion”, which is one of the most common eye injuries. It can often cause discomfort, redness of the eye and severe sensitivity to light. Corneal abrasion occurs when the top cell layer of the cornea (called the corneal epithelium) is disrupted or destroyed. The severity of the condition can vary.
Corneal abrasion can impair your vision and make the eye more susceptible to infection, and can also be quite painful. If you are in a lot of pain, it is important to have your eye checked by an eye specialist or an ophthalmology department.
What are the symptoms of a scratched eye?
Signs and symptoms of a scratched eye include:
- Feels like sand or gravel in the eye;
- Painful eyes, especially when waking up and closing your eyes;
- Tearing or crying eyes;
- Red eyes;
- Light sensitivity;
- Blurred vision.
If you experience any of these symptoms or visual changes, it is important to get your eyes checked as soon as possible.
What causes a scratched eye?
There are many ways in which corneal abrasion can occur. Regardless of the size, anything that comes into contact with the surface of the eye can injure it. The most common causes are airborne particles such as dust or sand, or any object that comes into contact with the open eye, for example, during children’s games or DIY activities.
Dry eyes can increase the risk of corneal abrasion due to inadequate eye hydration. In dry areas of the eye, the corneal surface becomes fragile, making it more likely to be damaged, even by something as simple as rubbing the eyes.
How is the diagnosis of a scratched eye performed?
In most cases of corneal abrasion, it slowly heals on its own within a few days. However, because surface damage makes the eye more susceptible to infection, an abraded eye may require antibiotic eye drops or ointment.
What help is available?
The main thing is not to rub your eyes. Small scratches on the cornea usually heal within a few days. Your doctor may prescribe eye drops to lubricate your eyes and reduce the chance of infection. You may also need to stop wearing contact lenses for a while.
Always wear eye protection when there is a risk of eye damage, for example when working in dusty environments, among dense vegetation or during DIY activities. If you feel something in your eye, blink a few times to get the foreign body out, and if that doesn’t work, gently flush your eye with clean water or sterile saline. If pain or discomfort persists, seek medical attention.
Take care of your eyes!
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Frequently asked questions
What to do if a child or baby has corneal abrasion?
As with any eye or vision problem, it’s almost impossible to assess the severity of the damage yourself, so it’s best to have your eyes checked by an eye specialist. The specialist may suggest monitoring the condition, treatment or referral to an eye doctor if the damage is more serious, but usually most scratches heal on their own.
Is corneal abrasion serious?
The severity of corneal abrasion is determined by the size and location of the abrasion and how deeply it damages the cornea. Eye pain is not always an indication of the extent of the damage, so it is always best to see an eye specialist. Although most abrasions heal on their own, they can become infected or form a scar, which can cause permanent damage and affect vision.
What are the symptoms of a scratched eye?
The cornea, the scratched area of the eyeball, is very sensitive, so corneal abrasions can be very painful. You may feel as if something is stuck in your eye, and your eye may become red, watery and sensitive to light.
