Scratched Eye

A scratched eye is the most common eye problems that one tends to suffer from. The medical term for scratched eye is corneal abrasion as the scratch takes place in the cornea of the eye which is a protective window of the eye. The cornea enables the light to enter the eyes, hit the optic nerve and finally allows us to see this beautiful world. The causes for a scratched eye could be many, including eye injury, eyelid infection, prolonged existence of a dust particle in the eye without being properly flushed, insensitively scratching in the eyes, entering of plant matter, metal particles, paper edges, etc. Therefore, taking proper care of the eyes is a must as they are not just the only means to see the world, but also because they are highly sensitive.

Symptoms of a Scratched Eye

As adults, we can understand that there is something wrong with our eye, but the fact is that most children too tend to suffer from a scratched eyeball. As kids, they just feel that there is something in their eyes and continue to scratch or rub it further more, making the condition worse. If the eyeball is further infected, there are chances to develop a corneal ulcer which is a very serious problem to deal with! Therefore it is important to be able to identify the symptoms in order to take necessary steps to treat the scratched eye.

• Eye irritation
• Inflammation of the eyes
• A feeling that you have sand or dust particles in the eye
• Blurred vision
• Watery eyes
• Itchy red eyes
• Pain in the eyes
• Headaches
• Increased sensitivity in the eyes
• Tearing eyes
• Constantly rubbing the eyes
• Constant and continuous blinking

How to Deal with a Scratched Eye

Once you have identified the symptoms of a scratch in the eye, it is advisable to get in touch with an eye specialist as soon as possible to proceed with the treatment. As mentioned earlier, any delay in treating the condition could lead to formation of corneal ulcers in the eye!!! Although seeking medical attention is of prime importance, you can also perform the following steps as basic first aid to prevent further damage. These are mentioned as follows.

• As mentioned earlier, a scratched eye can be a result of presence of foreign objects in the eyeball. Therefore rinse the infected eye with saline water or drinking water! Rinse at least once in 2 hours to prevent irritation and eye infection.
• You can also blink your eyes several times in a row. The blinking movement will not allow the dust particles to stay in the eye and they might come out due to the movement.
• Another way to take out the dust particles from the eye is to pull the upper eyelid of the eye over the lower eyelid. Do this gently as the lower eyelid may end up brushing the foreign particles from the inner surface of your upper eyelid.

If the condition is severe then do not delay showing the eye to an ophthalmologist. Only proper eye tests will help determine the reason of the scratch, and based on that the ophthalmologist would suggest eye drops or any other medication to heal the cornea. Many ophthalmologists also treat scratched eyes with eye patches that prevents the entrance of light in the optic nerve, thus reducing irritation and giving the cornea some time to heal! In any case, it is strictly recommended not to take a chance and get in touch with an eye care specialist as soon as possible. And remember, never ever wear contact lenses under such a situation. Take care.