Corneal abrasion foreign bodies
Date issued: January 2023
Review date: January 2025
Ref: C-520/MS/Ophthalmology/Corneal abrasion foreign bodies
PDF: corneal abrasion foreign bodies final January 2023.pdf [pdf] 91KB
The cornea is the clear window at the front of the eye.
It is a very sensitive part of the eye.
If something settles on the cornea, or causes a scratch or graze, it may become painful.
(A scratch may feel like something is stuck in the eye).
When something settles on the cornea it is known as Corneal Foreign Body.
The damage left after removal of the foreign body or from a scratch is known as Corneal Abrasion.
Symptoms
-
Pain/irritation
-
A feeling of something in the eye
-
Sensitive to light
-
Watering eye
- Reduced vision
Treatment
Your eye will be examined on a microscope.
The Doctor or Nurse Practitioner will prescribe some treatment for you.
You may have a drop put in your eye to make the pupil bigger.
This helps to ease the pain by relaxing the muscles inside the eye but will blur your sight temporarily.
Antibiotic ointment will be put in the eye to prevent infection and should be used as instructed by the Dr or nurse.
A pad may be put over the eye to keep it firmly closed, which helps healing, and to keep the eye as comfortable as possible. Judging distances may be difficult, e.g., when pouring a hot drink, extra care is needed to ensure safety. Also, when placing a cup on a surface, extra care is needed.
You must not drive or operate machinery whilst wearing a pad
You are advised not to smoke as eye pads catch fire easily.
The eye may feel irritated, as if something is in it, or painful, until healed (usually 1-2 days).
You may be prescribed some painkilling tablets or drops.
If not, you may take the tablets you would normally take for a headache.
Take them as instructed and do not take more than the instruction advice.
The future
It can take a long time for the abrasion to heal fully.
The damaged area is now more delicate than the rest of the cornea.
Because of this the same symptoms may occur.
If this happens, or you have any questions or problems please contact the: Urgent Care Department at the Royal Eye Infirmary.
Tel: 01752 439330
01752 439331
