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Corneal injury
Table of Contents:
Alternative names
corneal abrasion; corneal burn
Definition
An injury to the cornea, the curved transparent covering at the front of the eye. See also corneal ulcers and infections.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cornea is the curved transparent covering at the front of the eye that works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina. Injuries to the cornea are common and may be caused by a foreign body in the eye, such as sand or metal filings, wearing hard contact lenses for too long, or exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Risk factors include occupational hazards from working with or around substances that could end up in the eye, such as metal filings or sawdust, and prolonged exposure to the sun.
Prevention
Safety goggles should be worn at all times when using power tools, when in contact with chemicals, during high impact sports, or in other situations where there is potential for eye injury. Sunglasses designed to screen ultraviolet light should be worn during prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Symptoms


Signs and Tests


Treatment
Severe eye pain needs to be evaluated in an emergency care center or by an ophthalmologist immediately. Simple corneal injuries are treated by removing the foreign material if present, and covering the eye with a patch to let the cornea heal itself. Do not try to remove a foreign body in the eye without professional assistance because the risk of further injury is great. A particle that is large enough to damage the cornea may not be seen without magnification or staining of the eye. Eye drops are often instilled to temporarily numb the eye while the foreign body is removed.

Antibiotic ointment or drops may be prescribed if there is a risk of infection. Rest and patching both eyes has a pain-relieving effect by decreasing stimulation to the nerve endings involved with the injury. Driving, use of power tools, or other potentially dangerous situations should be avoided while the eye is patched since depth perception is altered.
Expectations (prognosis)
Corneal injuries normally heal very rapidly with treatment, and the eye should be back to normal within 2 days.
Complications
Severe corneal injury may require corneal transplantation surgery.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if the injury has not significantly improved in 2 days with treatment.
[Definition] [Alternative names] [Causes, incidence, and risk factors] [Prevention] [Symptoms] [Signs and Tests] [Treatment] [Expectations (prognosis)] [Complications] [Calling your health care provider]

   

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