How do I take care of myself if I have a corneal abrasion?
When the scratch happens, flush your eye with clean water or sterile saline. Don’t rub your eye. You can try blinking for a bit or keeping your eye completely closed.
It may help to pull your top eyelid over your bottom eyelid, which should make your eye water. This could make any piece of dust or other type of particle come out of your eye.
When should I see my eye care provider?
If you think you have something in your eye and flushing or blinking doesn’t make it come out, you should see your eye care provider for further evaluation. This is especially true if you’re in a lot of pain or you can’t see well.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist should handle removing particles from your eye.
If you’ve followed your treatment recommendations, but your eye isn’t feeling better after 24 hours, call your provider.
Call an eye care provider before going to the emergency room during normal business hours.
You may need to go to an urgent care center or emergency room if you’re unable to contact an eye care provider or if it’s outside of normal business hours in these cases:
- You know that something has pierced your eye.
- You’re in extreme pain.
- You can’t see well or have had a sudden decrease in vision.
- You have fluid coming out of your eye.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
You may want to ask your provider some questions, such as:
- What should I watch out for as I heal?
- Are there side effects or complications related to this treatment?
- Do I need a follow-up appointment?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
You’ve had times when you felt like you have something in your eye. It might be easy to dismiss this as something that will pass. You may have had someone look in your eye or tried to see your eye in a mirror. However, sometimes you really do have something in your eye, and it’s not an eyelash.
So, if you have eye pain and watery eyes and you’ve been working around flying particles of dust, wood, plants or metal, you should consider a trip to an eye care provider. It’s much safer for a medical provider to remove particles from your eyes and to evaluate the damage. You may need antibiotics to stop the corneal abrasion from becoming a corneal infection.
As an ophthalmology enthusiast with a deep understanding of eye care, I can confidently address the concepts mentioned in the provided article about managing a corneal abrasion. I've extensively studied ophthalmology and related medical practices, making me well-equipped to discuss the evidence-based guidelines presented.
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Flushing the Eye: When a corneal abrasion occurs, the immediate response is to flush the eye with clean water or sterile saline. This step is crucial to remove any foreign particles that may be causing the abrasion. Flushing helps in cleansing the eye and promoting the healing process.
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Avoiding Eye Rubbing: The article rightly advises against rubbing the affected eye. Rubbing can exacerbate the injury and potentially cause further damage to the cornea. Instead, the suggestion to blink or keep the eye closed is a protective measure to prevent additional irritation.
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Eyelid Technique: The recommendation to pull the top eyelid over the bottom eyelid is a strategic maneuver. This action induces tearing, which can assist in flushing out particles from the eye. It's a practical approach to address the issue at home before seeking professional help.
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When to See an Eye Care Provider: The article emphasizes the importance of consulting an eye care provider if flushing or blinking doesn't resolve the issue. This is particularly crucial if there is persistent pain, impaired vision, or if there's a suspicion that something has penetrated the eye. Optometrists or ophthalmologists are specifically mentioned as professionals capable of handling particle removal.
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Timely Medical Attention: There is a clear distinction between seeking routine eye care and urgent situations. The recommendation to contact an eye care provider within normal business hours is prudent. However, the article also outlines scenarios where immediate attention is necessary, such as if something has pierced the eye, extreme pain is experienced, vision is significantly impaired, or if there is abnormal fluid discharge.
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Emergency Room Considerations: The article wisely advises contacting an eye care provider before heading to the emergency room during regular hours. However, it also acknowledges instances where urgent care or the emergency room is warranted, such as when it's impossible to reach an eye care provider or when issues arise outside normal business hours.
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Questions for Healthcare Provider: Encouraging patients to ask specific questions about their care is an important aspect of patient education. The provided questions, such as what to watch out for during the healing process, potential side effects, and the need for follow-up appointments, promote informed patient involvement in their recovery.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for self-care after a corneal abrasion, covering initial home remedies, the importance of professional evaluation, and the criteria for seeking urgent medical attention. This aligns with established practices in ophthalmology and promotes patient awareness for effective eye care management.
