Corneal abrasions are commonly known as scratches on the cornea. When an injury occurs on the transparent outer layer of the eyeball, it leads to a very painful condition known as scratches on the cornea. This condition can contribute to the affected individual shedding tears constantly, reddish tinge on the eyeball, an increase in reflexive eye blinking and blurred vision. Scratches on the cornea can be caused due to several reasons. These include the usage of damaged or ill fitting contact lenses, combined with incorrect cleaning of lenses and wearing them longer than recommended. Corneal abrasions can also be caused due to the presence of microscopic particles of dust, dirt, sand or even a tiny insect. Foreign objects brushing or touching the eyeball accidentally can also lead to scratches on the cornea. It is highly advisable to seek medical assistance from an ophthalmologist or your physician as soon as you experience scratches on the cornea. This is because injuries to the eye can potentially lead to secondary infections and can endanger your vision if not treated immediately. It is preferable to stay away from any visual activity that may have been responsible for the scratches until you are in touch with medical assistance. If your contact lens is a cause of the scratches on the cornea, avoid the use of the lens until such time as you have approval to do so from the doctor.
With the appropriate treatment scratched corneas are normally believed to heal quickly. The treatment is usually simple and easy on the patient taking about two to four days to heal. Your doctor may begin treatment by using a specific type of fluorescent colored eye drops and a highly specialized light to scrutinize the scratches. Your doctor will conduct a thorough examination after which he/she should be able to eliminate the foreign article responsible for the scratches. The most common types of treatments recommended for scratches in the cornea include eye-drops or ointments with antibacterial properties to prevent infection, prescribed medication to extend the pupil and promote the healing process and medicated eye patches which will temporarily guard the cornea and reduce discomfort. It is also recommended to use dark glasses with sufficient ultraviolet light protection to help in reducing the amount of irritation caused during visual activity. There is a possibility, however rare, that superficial abrasions are responsible for the loss of vision. In this case, it may take some weeks for normal sight to return, and it is extremely critical during this period that the affected individual avoids rubbing the eyes, thus enabling the healing process to continue smoothly.
answered by G M