Corneal Abrasions
What is a corneal abrasion?
A corneal abrasion is a scratch or injury to the cornea, the clear,
dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. This is a very
common occurrence in children.
What causes a corneal abrasion?
There are many things that can cause an abrasion to the cornea. The more
common causes include the following:
- foreign bodies in the eye (such as dirt, pebbles, insects)
- scratch from a toy or fingernail
- contact lenses in older children
When these objects have contact with the surface of the eye, a small
abrasion can occur.
What are the symptoms of a corneal abrasion?
The following are the most common symptoms of a corneal abrasion. However,
each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- pain and redness in the eye
- tearing of that eye
- pain when the child looks at a light
- excessive blinking in the affected eye
- a younger child may hold that eye shut
The symptoms of a corneal abrasion any resemble other eye conditions or
medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
How is a corneal abrasion diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually made based on a complete medical history and physical
examination of your child's eye. Local anesthetic drops may be placed in
the eye in order to examine the child. In addition, your child's physician
may use a fluorescein stain to help confirm the diagnosis. This is done by
placing a small amount of a dye in the child's eye. The stain does not
hurt the child. A special light is then used to look at the surface of the
cornea, and any abrasion or scratch can be seen.
Treatment for corneal abrasion:
Specific treatment for a corneal abrasion will be determined by your
child's physician based on:
- your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the injury
- your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or
therapies
- expectations for the course of the injury
- your opinion or preference
Most corneal abrasions heal quickly and do not cause any permanent
damage to the eye. Treatment may include:
- If a foreign body is seen in the eye, it may be removed with a small
cotton applicator, or by washing the eye out with a saline solution.
- An antibiotic ointment may be placed in the eye.
- A patch over the eye may be used to help decrease your child's level
of discomfort. A patch is usually required for 12 to 24 hours following
a corneal abrasion.
- Close follow-up with your child's physician is needed to assure that
the abrasion heals completely.
- Severe abrasions or cuts into the cornea may be managed by an eye
specialist because of the increased risk of damage to the eye.
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