Does your eye hurt? It could be a corneal abrasion. Let's talk about this!

It's common for us to get a small piece of dirt or dust in our eyes. This happens when we ride our bikes or sweep the yard. Most of the time, it goes away on its own when we blink or wash our eyes. But sometimes, it causes a lot of pain and discomfort in the eyes. The eyes become red and watery. At times like that, it may not just be a piece of dirt, but your eye may have been scratched. In medical terms, we call this `(Corneal Abrasion)`. Although this may seem like a small thing, it can be serious if not taken care of properly. So, let's talk about everything in simple terms today.

What exactly is a corneal abrasion?

Simply put, this is a scratch on the transparent, thin membrane that covers the black ring (colored part) of our eye, the cornea. Just like our skin gets scratched. This cornea is a very important part of our eye that helps to let light enter, like the lens of a camera. The layer on the surface of this is called the `(Epithelium)`. This scratch occurs on that surface layer.

Although this is unlikely to be a serious injury, you should definitely see a doctor. Because if germs get into the eye through the scratch, it could become an infection and cause further damage.

What are the common symptoms of eye strain?

Everyone feels a little different when they get a scratched eye. But there are some common symptoms. See if you have one or more of these.

What are the causes of eye itching?

There can be many reasons for eye irritation. Some of them are things we don't even think about. Let's look at the main reasons.

Common causes

• Dust, sand, and dirt can get into your eyes: These can get into your eyes when you're walking on the road, when it's windy, or when gardening.
• Wood or metal dust in the eyes: When working without safety glasses in carpentry, grinding, or welding, these can fly into the eyes and cause scratches.
• Scratching with tree leaves and branches: While working in the garden or walking on the road, you may come across something like a tree branch.
• Scratching with a fingernail: You can scratch your eye with your own fingernail or when a small baby touches it. This is a common occurrence for mothers.
• From something like a makeup brush: A brush used by women when applying makeup can get into the eye.

Causes caused by contact lenses

People who wear contact lenses should be especially careful about this.

• Putting in lenses when your eyes are dry: Putting in lenses when your eyes are dry can cause them to rub against your eyes and cause scratches.
• Using lenses that don't fit properly: Using lenses that don't fit your eyes properly is also risky.
• Applying too much force when inserting or removing lenses: Applying too much force when inserting or removing lenses can cause your fingernail to hit and scratch your eye.
• Sleeping with lenses: Unless your doctor has approved it, sleeping with lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen your eyes need, causing dryness and scratching.

Why should I see a doctor? How can I get this checked?

If you have the symptoms mentioned above, definitely see a doctor. In most cases, it is best to see an ophthalmologist.

The doctor will first ask you how this happened, what symptoms you are experiencing, and then examine your eyes.

• Slit Lamp Examination: This is a special microscope that allows you to clearly see even the smallest scratches on your cornea.
• Fluorescein Dye Test: This involves placing a drop of a yellow liquid (Fluorescein) in the eye. Don't worry, this is not painful. This liquid stays only where there is a scratch on the cornea. Then, when a blue light is shone on the eye, the scratch glows green. This allows you to see exactly how deep the scratch is.

The doctor may also look at your eyelids to see if there is anything stuck inside your eyelid.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends on the nature of the abrasion. Most of the time, these heal in two to three days.

1. Wash the eye: The first thing you can do is wash the eye with clean water or saline solution. This will help remove any debris that may be stuck in the eye.

2. Antibiotics: Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent germs from entering your eye through the scratch and causing an infection. It is important to use this for the full duration of time as prescribed by your doctor.

3. Painkillers: If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe painkillers (e.g., NSAIDs) or pain-relieving eye drops.

4. Bandage contact lens: Sometimes, if there are large scratches, a special contact lens (bandage contact lens) is worn to reduce pain and prevent rubbing of the eyelid until the eye heals. This is not like a regular lens, but is used as a treatment.

5. Patching the eye: In some cases, a pressure patch may be applied to the eye to give it rest.

How can you protect yourself from eye strain?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So there are many things we can do to prevent eye irritation.

What are the emergencies that require a visit to a doctor?

Usually, if a piece of dirt gets into the eye, you can wash it out. However, in the following cases, see a doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

• If you are sure that something sharp (a piece of metal, a shard of glass) has been stuck in your eye.
• If there is unbearable pain .
• If your vision suddenly decreases or the blurring becomes increasingly severe.
• If there is a liquid (watery or other) flowing from the eye.
• If a chemical gets in your eye.

In such cases, do not attempt to treat yourself at home. Seek medical advice as soon as possible.