Scratched Eyeball

Eyes are one of the most sensitive organs of the human body and that makes it extremely important for us to take all kinds of precautions and avoid any injuries, but sometimes accidents happen. At times, one may end up with a scratched eyeball due to trauma to the surface of the eye. Contact lens users may end up with corneal abrasions if they rub their eyes while wearing contact lenses. The injury on the outer layer of the eyeball can lead to a scratched cornea. Under such circumstances, one must consult an ophthalmologist for immediately. A delay in the treatment can give rise to complications.

Symptoms of a Scratched Cornea

• Irritation in the eyes
• Redness of the eyeball
• Blurred vision
• Photophobia
• Swollen eyelids
• Tearing of the eye
• Pain
• Discharge

Causes of Corneal Abrasions

Eye Injuries
Though most of us would not scratch our eyes intentionally, unintentional eye injuries or accidents could cause corneal abrasions. If dust particles or a wood splinter gets lodged in your eye, the outer layer of your eyeball might get scratched. Every time you blink, the sand or wooden splinter might rub against the eye surface and cause corneal abrasions. If any foreign particles stays lodged in the eye for a long time, it can scratch the cornea. Be careful while you are playing in the woods. Don't let the tree branches or leaves rub against your eyes.

Misuse of Contact Lenses
Those who wear contact lenses need to be very careful. Overuse of lenses or wearing ill-fitted, torn or dirty contact lenses can cause a lot of damage. Sometimes overuse of lenses might give rise to symptoms such as discharge, eye pain and blurred vision. If you rub your eyes with your lenses on, you might get corneal abrasions on your eye. One of the most common symptoms of a scratched cornea is gritty sensation in the affected eye.

Treatment Options for Scratched Cornea

If something has fallen into your eye, you must try to wash it off with water or saline solution. If it stays in your eyes for a longer time, it might aggravate the problem. Though you might be tempted to touch or rub your eyes you should avoid that completely. It's advisable to get medical help soon. Don't strain your eye further. Relax and don't blink vigorously.

If the problem has been caused due to contact lenses, don't wear your lenses till your eye heals completely. Generally the doctors prescribe eye drops or ointments to treat this eye condition. These eye drops and ointments are antibacterial in nature. These antibacterial drops are helpful in easing the pain and discomfort and also prevent eye infections. In case the pain is severe, the ophthalmologist might prescribe anesthetic drops. Taking a painkiller might also help. You might also have to wear a patch for a few days. Since the eyes might become very sensitive to light, one may have to use a patch to block the light.

Besides the treatment, you must also give your eyes proper rest. Watching television or sitting in front of your computer will definitely aggravate the problem. You must take all possible precautions to quicken the healing process. As a precautionary measure, always wear sunglasses while you are out in sun or in a windy environment. This might prevent any foreign particle from falling in your eyes.

Since eyes are very delicate organs, you need to take care of them. Those who wear lenses must take all precautions. If you ever scratch your eyes accidentally, it's advisable that you get your eyes examined soon. Give your eyes time to heal and take all steps to avoid this problem in future.