Treating Corneal Abrasions

There’s nothing more uncomfortable and annoying than having something in your eye. Often, these minor nuisances are remedied with a quick rinse or a few blinks, but occasionally the object or matter in the eye can scratch the clear protective window in front of your eye. This is called a corneal abrasion.

A corneal abrasion can be painful, producing tears, blurred vision and sensitivity or redness around the eye. Although it is tempting, don’t rub your eye. Don’t use cotton balls, tweezers or any sharp object to remove anything in the eye. Instead, you should seek medical attention immediately.

For minor irritations you can:

• Rinse your eye with clean water or a saline solution if available.

• Blink several times.

• Pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid. This gives the eyelashes a chance to brush away any foreign objects.

If you experience a corneal abrasion, The Little Clinic can provide diagnosis and treatment. For more information on The Little Clinic’s services, visit www.thelittleclinic.com.