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Fitango EducationHealth Topics

Corneal Injury

1

Overview

Corneal injury describes an injury to the

cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue covering the front

of the eye. It works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina.

2

Symptoms

-- Being very sensitive to

light

-- Blurred vision

-- Decrease in vision

-- Eye pain

3

Symptoms

or stinging and burning in the eye

-- Feeling like something is in your eye, called a foreign-body

sensation

-- Redness of

the eye, "bloodshot" eyes

4

Symptoms

-- Swollen eyelids

-- Watery eyes or increased tearing

5

Diagnoses

A complete eye exam must be done. The health

care provider may use a special stain called fluorescein, placed on the surface

of the eye.

Tests that are used to examine the eye for

6

Diagnoses

damage to the cornea include:

Standard

ophthalmic exam

Slit lamp

examination

of the eye

7

Treatment

See: Eye emergencies

for information on immediate first aid.

Anyone with severe eye pain needs to be

evaluated in an emergency care center or by an ophthalmologist immediately.

8

Treatment

Treatment for corneal injuries may involve:

Removing

any foreign material from the eye

Wearing an

eye patch or temporary bandage contact lens

9

Treatment

Using eye

drops or ointments prescribed by the doctor

Not wearing

contact lenses until the eye has healed

Taking pain

medicines

10

Treatment

An abrasion or foreign object that is large

enough to damage the cornea may not be visible without proper magnification or

special eye drops that stain the cornea. Abrasions will often feel like foreign

bodies in the eye.

11

Causes

Injuries to the cornea are common.

Injuries to the outer surface of the cornea,

called corneal abrasions, may be caused by:

Chemical

12

Causes

irritation - from almost any fluid that gets into the eye

Overuse of

contact lenses or lenses that don't fit correctly

Reaction or

sensitivity to contact lens solutions and cosmetics

13

Causes

Scratches

or scrapes on the surface of the cornea (called an abrasion)

Something

getting into the eye (such as sand or dust)

Sunlight,

14

Causes

sun lamps, snow or water reflections, or arc-welding

Infections

may also damage the cornea.

High-speed particles, such as chips from

15

Causes

hammering metal on metal, may become embedded in the surface of the cornea.

Rarely, they may pass through the cornea and go deeper into the eye.

Injuries that affect only the surface of the

cornea normally heal very rapidly with treatment. The eye should be back to

16

Causes

normal within 2 days.

Penetrating corneal injuries are much more

serious. The outcome depends on the specific injury. Severe corneal injury may require extensive

surgery or a cornea transplant.

17

Risks

You are more likely to develop a corneal

injury if you:

Are exposed

to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light for long periods of time

18

Risks

Have

ill-fitting contact lenses or overuse your contact lenses

Have very dry eyes

Work in a

dusty environment

19

Prevention

-- Wear safety goggles at all times when using hand or power

tools or chemicals, during high impact sports, or in other situations where

there is a potential for eye injury.

20

Prevention

-- Wear sunglasses designed to screen ultraviolet light when

you are exposed to sunlight, even during the winter.

-- Be careful when using household cleaners. Many household

products contain strong acids, alkalis, or other chemicals. Drain and oven

21

Prevention

cleaners are particularly dangerous. They can lead to blindness if not used

correctly.