Corneal injury

Corneal injury is a wound to the part of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue that covers the front of the eye. It works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina.

Causes

Injuries to the cornea are common.

Injuries to the outer surface may be due to:

• Abrasions -- Includes scratches or scrapes on the surface of the cornea
• Chemical injuries -- Caused by almost any fluid that gets into the eye
• Contact lens problems -- Overuse, poor fit, or sensitivity to contact lens care solutions
• Foreign bodies -- Exposure to something in the eye such as sand or dust
• Ultraviolet injuries -- Caused by sunlight, sun lamps, snow or water reflections, or arc-welding

Infections may also damage the cornea.

Infections

The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye. A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the outer layer of the cornea. It is often caused by inf...

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You are more likely to develop a corneal injury if you:

• Are exposed to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light for long periods of time
• Have ill-fitting contact lenses or overuse your contact lenses
• Have very dry eyes

  Dry eyes

  You need tears to moisten the eyes and to wash away particles that have gotten into your eyes. A healthy tear film on the eye is necessary for good ...

  

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• Work in a dusty environment
• Use a hammer or power tools without wearing safety glasses

High-speed particles, such as chips from hammering metal on metal, may get stuck in the surface of the cornea. Rarely, they may penetrate deeper into the eye.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Eye pain or stinging and burning in the eye

  Eye pain

  Pain in the eye may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel like you have a forei...

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• Feeling like something is in your eye (may be caused by a scratch or something in your eye)
• Light sensitivity

  Light sensitivity

  Photophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.

  

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• Redness of the eye

  Redness of the eye

  Eye redness is most often due to swollen or dilated blood vessels. This makes the surface of the eye look red or bloodshot.

  

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• Swollen eyelids
• Watery eyes or increased tearing

Exams and Tests

You will need to have a complete eye test. The health care provider may use eye drops containing fluorescein dye to help look for injuries.

Tests may include:

• Standard eye exam

  Standard eye exam

  A standard eye exam is a series of tests done to check your vision and the health of your eyes.

  

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• Slit lamp examination

  Slit lamp examination

  The slit-lamp examination looks at structures that are at the front of the eye.

  

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Treatment

First aid for eye emergencies:

Eye emergencies

Eye emergencies include cuts, scratches, objects in the eye, burns, chemical exposure, and blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid. Certain eye infectio...

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• Do not try to remove an object that is stuck in your eye without professional medical help.
• If chemicals are splashed in the eye, immediately flush the eye with water for 15 minutes. The person should be quickly taken to the nearest emergency room.

Anyone with severe eye pain needs to be seen in an emergency care center or examined by an ophthalmologist right away.

Treatment for corneal injuries may involve:

• Removing foreign material from the eye
• Wearing an eye patch or temporary bandage contact lens
• Using eye drops or ointments prescribed by the doctor
• Not wearing contact lenses until the eye has healed
• Taking pain medicines

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most of the time, injuries that affect only the surface of the cornea heal very quickly with treatment. The eye should be back to normal within 2 days. For more serious injuries or when there may be delayed healing, placement of an amniotic membrane (from purified placental tissue) can be very helpful.

Injuries that penetrate the cornea are much more serious. The outcome depends on the specific injury.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if the injury is not better after 2 days of treatment.

Prevention

Things you can do to prevent corneal injuries include:

• Wear safety goggles at all times when using hand or power tools or chemicals, during high impact sports, or during other activities where you may get an eye injury.
• Wear sunglasses that screen ultraviolet light when you are exposed to sunlight or are in the vicinity of arc welding. Wear this type of sunglasses even during the winter.
• Be careful when using household cleaners. Many household products contain strong chemicals. Drain and oven cleaners are very dangerous. They can lead to blindness if not used properly.