What is the over-the-counter treatment for corneal abrasion?
You probably won't need pain relievers for a very small scratch. But if you do, your provider will probably recommend that you take an over-the-counter (OTC) oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). In other cases, your provider may prescribe a topical analgesic (pain-relieving eye drops or ointment).
Most corneal abrasions and eye scratches are minor and will heal on their own in a few days, but it's always a good idea to see a doctor for an eye exam. It's important not to use any eye drops without first asking a doctor. There are no over-the-counter eye drops specifically for eye scratches.
The best eye drops for scratched cornea include water, natural tears, artificial tears, allergy drops, anti-redness drops, contact lens solution, and other recommended rinses from your eye doctor.
Initiate topical antibiotics (erythromycin). Regarding pain control, small abrasions (less than 4 mm) rarely require analgesia. Mild to moderate pain can typically be controlled with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ophthalmic topical NSAID solutions provide pain relief.
TOPICAL ANTIBIOTICS
For uncomplicated abrasions, options include erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment, polymyxin B/trimethoprim (Polytrim) ophthalmic solution, and sulfacetamide 10% ophthalmic ointment or solution (Table 2).
For patients with chronic RCES, we recommend the nighttime application of a prophylactic bland ointment, such as Refresh PM or Lacri-Lube, or hypertonic saline, such as Muro 128. For recovering patients whose epithelium is healing, we recommend bland ointment to prevent surface aggravation.
You cannot obtain antibiotic eye drops over the counter. They require a doctor's prescription. However, you can use some over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms of various eye infections, including chalazion and styes.
DON'T touch or rub your eye, especially when you wake up. DON'T wear contact lenses until the eye heals and you have finished all ointments or eyedrops for at least 1 day. DON'T look at bright light. DON'T use topical anesthetic for pain relief.
You probably won't need pain relievers for a very small scratch. But if you do, your provider will probably recommend that you take an over-the-counter (OTC) oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). In other cases, your provider may prescribe a topical analgesic (pain-relieving eye drops or ointment).
The recommended eyedrop is a broad-spectrum antibiotic to prevent an infection from developing. This will require a prescription so it is important to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Artificial tears can help with the discomfort from an abrasion but will do little to prevent an infection.
Do I need to go to the doctor for a corneal abrasion?
Even though they're rarely serious, corneal abrasions should be checked out. It's important to rule out more serious damage to the eyeball. The doctor can see how serious the injury is and prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to help it heal.
Your doctor can examine your eye to determine the location and severity of a scratch. Both conjunctiva lacerations and corneal abrasions are treated with antibiotic eye drops and ointment to prevent infection. The ointment also reduces pain and speeds healing.
Corneal abrasions are very uncomfortable and can lead to redness, eye soreness, and photosensitivity. It is vital for you to visit our closest emergency room in Dallas, TX, if you have corneal abrasion because this injury can cause your eye to be susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections.
At CityMD urgent care, we have experience diagnosing and treating corneal abrasions and other eye injuries. Keep reading to learn about the causes and symptoms of corneal abrasions, treatment options, and prevention tips.
Fortunately, smaller corneal abrasions usually heal quite quickly-often within 24 hours-or during sleep. Larger corneal abrasions make take 2 or 3 days to fully heal. However, during the healing time patients often experience tearing, redness, blurred vision and light sensitivity.
You cannot obtain antibiotic eye drops over the counter. They require a doctor's prescription. However, you can use some over-the-counter medications to treat symptoms of various eye infections, including chalazion and styes.
At CityMD urgent care, we have experience diagnosing and treating corneal abrasions and other eye injuries. Keep reading to learn about the causes and symptoms of corneal abrasions, treatment options, and prevention tips.
In people who are in good general health, most typical corneal abrasions can heal on their own within 24 to 48 hours. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. Because the cornea is so sensitive, simply opening and closing the eye over the abrasion may be painful.
Salt water: Salt water is a popular natural home remedy used to treat certain eye issues such as eye infections. Turmeric: Turmeric is a multifaceted herb that contains curcumin that may have medicinal properties such as antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.
If you think about it in medical terms, prescriptions are the best way to go. For that, you can rely on a community optometrist who can pinpoint what your issue is, and what will work to solve it. Over-the-counter artificial tears work just like a bandaid, while prescription eye drops treat the actual cause.
Can urgent care diagnose scratched cornea?
Diagnosing a Corneal Abrasion
When you seek urgent care for an eye injury, your healthcare provider will examine your eye for damage. He or she will likely use a machine called a slit lamp to take a closer look at your eye. This diagnostic tool can only found in an emergency room or optometrist's office.
Seek emergency care if: There is pain, a change in vision, or your eye is more sensitive to light after a scratch or trauma to the eyeball. There is a foreign object lodged in the eye or eyelid or under the eyelid. There is loss of vision.
