A scratched eye, medically known as a corneal abrasion, involves a scrape or cut on the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped outer surface of your eye. This common eye injury often results from foreign objects or trauma directly impacting the eye’s delicate surface.
Identifying a Scratched Eye
Recognizing a scratched eye often begins with a distinct feeling of discomfort, frequently described as a gritty sensation, as if something is constantly in your eye. This can quickly escalate to sharp pain, especially when blinking, as the eyelid moves across the damaged surface. The eye typically becomes noticeably red due to irritation and inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Excessive tearing is another common response, as the eye attempts to flush out the irritant or soothe the injury. You might also experience photophobia, an increased sensitivity to light, making bright environments uncomfortable or painful. Vision can become blurry or hazy, particularly if the abrasion is located centrally on the cornea.
What Can Cause an Eye Scratch?
Small, airborne particles like dust, sand, or dirt frequently cause abrasions when they come into contact with the cornea. Metal shavings, wood splinters, or glass fragments can also lead to more severe scratches.
Everyday actions, such as accidentally poking your eye with a fingernail, can also result in an abrasion. Improper use or prolonged wear of contact lenses, or even debris trapped beneath a contact lens, presents another common cause. Brushing against branches or leaves can also cause corneal damage.
First Aid and When to Get Medical Help
If you suspect a scratched eye, immediate first aid involves gently rinsing the eye with clean water or a sterile saline solution. This helps flush out any loose debris. Avoid rubbing your eye, as this can worsen the abrasion and potentially embed any foreign particles deeper into the cornea.
If you wear contact lenses, remove them immediately to prevent further irritation or potential infection. Seek professional medical attention if the pain is severe, your vision significantly changes, or you feel as though something is still lodged in your eye. Medical help is also necessary if your symptoms worsen or do not show improvement within 24 hours.
Professional Diagnosis and Care
An eye care professional can accurately diagnose a scratched eye. During an examination, they typically use a slit lamp, a microscope that provides a magnified view of the eye’s structures. A special eye drop containing fluorescein dye is often applied, which temporarily stains the abraded area of the cornea, making the scratch more visible under a blue light from the slit lamp.
Treatment generally focuses on preventing infection and managing discomfort. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be prescribed to protect the eye from bacterial infections while it heals. Pain relief can be achieved with over-the-counter pain relievers or, in some cases, prescription eye drops. Most corneal abrasions heal within one to three days without lasting complications, provided there are no underlying issues or infections.