What Happens If You Scratch Your Cornea?

Are you experiencing eye pain right now?

Treatment for eye pain depends on what caused it. Sometimes, it will get better following home treatment, but other times, it needs emergency medical treatment.

For example, artificial tears are usually enough to manage dry eyes, which may cause eye pain. The same applies to allergies. By taking antihistamines and eye drops, eye pain because of an allergy doesn’t usually require an ER visit.

Now, what about corneal abrasion, you ask? What happens if you scratch your cornea? Since eye pain is one of its symptoms, does that mean you need to see an eye doctor right away?

Here’s what you need to understand about corneal abrasion.

Corneal Abrasion: What Happens if You Scratch Your Cornea?

A scratched cornea or corneal abrasion can happen if a foreign object gets into your eye and you rub it. It’s also easier to get corneal abrasion when you have long fingernails and have a habit of rubbing your eyes.

You’ll know you’ve scratched your cornea because it’s a sensitive area. Even the tiniest scratch can feel pretty painful. Most patients describe the sensation as similar to an object lodged in the eye.

Beyond pain, other symptoms of corneal abrasion are tearing, eye twitching, light sensitivity, and blurry vision. Others also report headaches and nausea.

First Aid for Eye Scratches

If a scratched cornea feels like something’s stuck in your eye, your first instinct might be to rub it, but this can worsen the problem. It would be best to use sterile eyewash or contact lens solution to flush out your eye.

Now, if that doesn’t get rid of the weird sensation in your eye, see an ophthalmologist. You can also go to the ER. The important thing is to seek emergency eye care services because the last thing you want is for corneal abrasion to cause permanent vision problems.

Other Things to Remember When Dealing With a Scratched Eye

Blinking can help eliminate small bits of foreign material like dust or sand in your eye.

It’s also crucial not to use redness-relieving eye drops. Not only will it not help your scratched eye heal faster, but it can also add to the pain. It would help if you also avoided using cotton swabs or other objects to poke around the affected eye.

On your way to the eye doctor, you can wear sunglasses, but not contact lenses. Dirty contact lenses, in particular, will slow the healing process and even put you at risk for infections.

Do You Need Scratched Cornea Treatment?

Now that you know what happens if you scratch your cornea, do you need to see an eye doctor?

Please don’t wait until it gets worse. If you’ve done first aid but don’t feel any relief, you need to see an ophthalmologist or an ER doctor.

For more eye-related tips and advice, tons of online resources can help. You can also browse our site for more health posts and articles on various topics, including lifestyle, pets, house, and fitness.