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Corneal
Abrasions |
| What is a Corneal
Abrasion? |
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A scratch on the front portion of the eye is called a corneal
abrasion. Most corneal abrasion injuries are due to a
fingernail, paper, or foreign body. Due to the extreme
sensitivity of the cornea, a corneal abrasion can be very
painful, even when it is a minor scratch. |
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How is a Corneal Abrasion Treated? |
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If something becomes lodged in the eye, it is imperative to seek
medical care immediately. With the use of fast-acting anesthetic
drops, most small foreign objects can be removed quickly and
painlessly. |
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| Antibiotic drops are
usually applied to ward off infection. Other anti-inflammatory
drops may be used to keep you comfortable while the cornea
heals. |
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To protect the eye and promote healing, the eye is usually
patched. Patching takes the form of either a eye pad or a
bandage soft contact lens. Although patching may be
inconvenient, it helps to minimize movement of the eyelids,
which would interfere with the healing process. Corneal tissue
heals rapidly. Improvement is usually noticed within 24 hours.
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