Scratching the Cornea

The cornea is the transparent dome-shaped surface that covers the eye. A corneal abrasion is a common eye injury, and most often occurs when a foreign body, such as a particle of dirt or an insect, scratches the surface of the eye. While scratching the cornea is painful, it is a minor eye injury that typically heals quickly with medical attention.

Symptoms

• Scratching the cornea can lead to a headache.

  A scratched cornea feels similar to the sensation of having sand in the eye, and may be accompanied by tears, blurred vision or redness around the affected eye. A headache may also develop after suffering a corneal abrasion.

First Aid

• Attempt to wash out any foreign objects by rinsing the affected eye with clean water or saline solution immediately. Blinking several times is another effective way to safely remove small particles from the eye. Never attempt to remove foreign objects from the eye in any other manner.

Treatment

• Your doctor will most likely prescribe eye drops or medicated cream.

  It is important to have a physician or ophthalmologist examine the injured eye within 24 hours. Treatment typically includes antibiotic eye drops or ointment, and medication may be administered to dilate the pupil of the injured eye to promote healing. A patient with a corneal abrasion may also be advised to wear an eye patch or sunglasses and to use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops and pain reliever. A scratched cornea usually heals in one to three days with the proper medical attention, but can result in an infection and serious damage to the eye if left untreated.