- Home treatment
- 1. Use of a cold compress
- 2. Using eye drops
- 3. Protect your eyes
- How to tell if the cornea is scratched
- When to go to the doctor
A small scratch on the cornea, which is the transparent membrane that protects the eyes, can cause severe eye pain, redness and watering, requiring the use of cold compresses and medications. However, this injury is usually not serious and ceases in 2 or 3 days.
This type of injury, also known as corneal abrasion, can happen if there is a foreign body in the eye. In these cases, if it is very small, it can be removed using plenty of clean water, but in the case of larger objects, you must take the person to the emergency room.
The doctor may prescribe the use of an antibiotic ointment to apply directly to the injured eye, in addition to eye drops and in some cases, it may be necessary to make a dressing that covers the entire eye, because the act of blinking can aggravate the symptoms and worsen the condition. lesion.
Home treatment
It is normal for the eye to be sensitive and red, and as a natural response of the body, there is an increase in the production of tears and therefore this eye can water a lot. Most of the time, the lesion is very small and does not need to be evaluated by the doctor, because the cornea regenerates quickly and in 48 hours the symptoms should disappear completely.
The treatment for scratched cornea can be done with simple measures such as the steps below.
1. Use of a cold compress
You can use crushed ice or an iced chamomile tea bag wrapped in a napkin to protect your skin. It can be left to act for 5 to 10 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day to deflate and reduce pain and discomfort.
2. Using eye drops
As long as the symptoms are present it can be useful to wear sunglasses and drip drops of eye drops, also known as artificial tears in the affected eye. There are eye drops with soothing and healing effects that can be purchased at the pharmacy, even without a prescription. A good example is the Moura Brasil eye drops. Check the leaflet for this eye drop by clicking here.
3. Protect your eyes
The person should keep their eyes closed and avoid blinking, resting for a few moments, until they feel better. Then you can try to open the injured eye, slowly, facing the mirror to check if there are any visible changes in the eye.
On this day it is recommended not to do physical activity, not to dive in the sea or in the pool and it can be useful to consume foods that facilitate healing with milk and eggs. See more examples by clicking here.
How to tell if the cornea is scratched
Signs and symptoms that may indicate that the eye injury is serious and that there is a scratch on the cornea are:
- Intense pain in the affected eye; Constant and excessive tearing; Difficulty in keeping the injured eye open; Blurry vision; Greater sensitivity to light; Feeling of sand in the eyes.
This injury, scientifically called corneal abrasion, can happen in people of all ages, when pressing the eye with the finger or with an object, but can also be caused by the dry eye.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the doctor when the person is unable to open the affected eye, when it is not possible to remove the object that is hurting the eye, when there are blood tears, intense pain and eye discomfort or when there is a suspicion of burning in the eyes.
The ophthalmologist may perform a more specific examination, after applying local anesthesia, to assess the injured eye and indicate its severity and the indicated treatment. In the most severe cases, it may even be necessary to perform surgery to remove the object from the eye.
