Foreign bodies such as contact lens, fingernails, dust, dirt, sand, wood particles, and metal bits can scratch your eye.The front of your eye is covered by a transparent window.The symptoms of a scratched cornea include irritation, eye watering, redness, sensitivity to light, and feeling like something is in your eye.Your symptoms may last longer if the scratch is deep, but researchers say a scratched cornea can be treated in as little as 24 to 48 hours.It's a good idea to see your eye doctor if you suspect you have a scratched cornea.
Step 1: Try to blink.
Dust, dirt, sand or even an eyelash can cause scratches to the cornea.You must remove the foreign object before you can treat the scratch.In a row, blink several times to remove the object.If you close and open your eye you can cause the lacrimal glands to produce more tears and wash the foreign body out of the eye.Pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid.The foreign object can be removed from the eye with the help of the lower eyelid lashes.The eye injury can be worse if you try to remove trapped items with your fingers or other objects.
Step 2: Remove your eye.
If blinking didn't remove the object from your eye, you can rinse it with water or a solution.It's best to use a sterile solution.Don't use the tap water.The ideal temperature for eyewash solution is between 60 and 100F.Do not use a cup to give the solution to your eye.Using a cup to pour water on a foreign object can cause it to become lodged in the eye.For mildly irritating chemicals, rinse your eye out for five minutes.If you have moderate-to-severe irritants, rinse for at least 20 minutes.For acids, rinse for 20 minutes.For penetrating corrosives, rinse for at least 60 minutes.It is important to note any additional symptoms that may indicate that a poisonous solution has gotten into the eye, including nausea or vomiting, headaches or lightheadedness, double vision or impaired vision, dizziness or loss of consciousness.Call poison control if you notice any of the symptoms.
Step 3: Eye drops can be used.
If you want to remove trapped objects, you can place lubricating eye drops in the injured eye.You can buy lubricating eye drops at the drugstore.If you want someone else to help you, you can put the eye drops in yourself.Part 3 describes the correct method for using eye drops.Artificial tear drops are meant to lubricate eyes and keep them moist.They are available over the counter in a wide variety of brands.Preservatives in artificial tears help keep the solution on the surface of your eyes for a longer period of time.If you use them more than four times a day, they can irritate your eyes.If you need to use artificial tears more than four times per day, you should look for a preservative-free one.Many over-the-counter solutions contain Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, which are the two most common lubricants in tear drops.It's usually the only way to find the best artificial tears for your eyes.A combination of a few brands may be necessary in some cases.Even if the eyes are symptom-free, artificial tears must be used.Artificial tears are not a substitute for natural tears.
Step 4: If the scratch doesn't heal, see your doctor.
A lightly scratched cornea should heal on its own in a number of days once the foreign object has been removed.In order to heal from scratches and infections, it is necessary to use antibacterial eye drops.If there is a foreign object in your eye, you should see your doctor.Blurry vision, redness, substantial pain, tearing, and extreme light sensitivity are some of the symptoms you experience.You think you have an open wound on your cornea, which is usually caused by an eye problem.You have something coming out of your eye.You can see light flashes or dark objects.You have a bug.
Step 5: It's a good idea to get a diagnosis.
It's a good idea to make an appointment with your eye doctor if you suspect you have injured your cornea.The doctor will use a penlight or ophthalmoscope to examine your eye.Your doctor can use special eye drops that make your tears yellow to examine your injured eye.You can see your abrasion under the blue light with this dye.The lower lid will be pulled down after the eye is anesthetized.As you blink, the dye in the strip touches the eye.There were yellow stained areas under normal light.Your doctor will use a special blue light to highlight areas of damage and determine the cause.A foreign body can be seen in several vertical abrasions and branching stains.It is possible that your contact lens is a cause.You will see a yellow haze in your vision as a result of this dye.There is a yellow discharge from your nose during this time.
Step 6: Pain medication can be taken to alleviate it.
If your scratched cornea is causing you pain, it's a good idea to take over-the-counter pain medications.Pain can cause stress to the body, which can prevent it from healing quickly and effectively.Always follow the instructions on the packaging when taking pain medications.
Step 7: Don't wear an eyepatch.
Recent medical studies have shown that eye patches can increase pain and prolong healing after a corneal scratch.The natural blinking of the eye is hampered by an eye patch.The tearing of the eye increases and this causes more infections and delays the healing process.The cornea is dependent on oxygenation and an eye patch decreases it.
Step 8: Look for alternatives to eye patches.
NSAID eye drops are often prescribed by your doctor instead of an eye patch.The eye drops decrease the sensitivity of the eye.The soft contact lens can be used as a bandage to protect your eye, speed up the healing process and reduce pain while it heals.Unlike with eye patches, this therapy allows you to see out of both of your eyes, alleviating inflammation.NSAIDs and antibiotics are the most common eye drops.Diclofenac is a 0.1% solution.Four times a day, put a drop in your eye.You can try the 0.5% solution.If you want to administer eye drops, follow the instructions on the packaging.Bacitracin can be used two to four times daily.Or apply erythromycin with a 1/2 inch ribbon.You can give yourself two drops of chloramphenicol every three hours.There is another option, where the dosage changes over the course of the treatment.On the first day, give two drops every 15 minutes for six hours, and twodrops every 30 minutes on the rest of the day.Two drops per hour on the second day.Two drops are administered every four hours from the third day to the 14th.Follow the instructions on the package.
Step 9: Don't use eye makeup.
Eye makeup can irritate the injured eye and prolong healing.Don't wear eye makeup until the scratch has healed.
Step 10: Wear sunglasses.
It's a good idea to wear sunglasses while you deal with a scratched cornea to protect your eyes from light sensitivity.Light sensitivity can be caused by a scratched eye.You can protect your eyes from the light by wearing sunglasses.If you are having a lot of light sensitivity in your eyelid, you may be given eye drops to dilate it.It helps to relax your eye muscles.Part 3 shows how to administer eyedrops.
Step 11: Don't wear contacts.
Don't wear contacts until your doctor says it's safe.It's recommended that you don't wear contacts for at least a week after the injury until your eye heals completely.If the scratch was caused by wearing contact lens, this is important.While applying antibiotic treatments to your injured eye, you should not wear contact lens.Wait 24 hours after your last dose of antibiotics to wear them again.
Step 12: You need to wash your hands.
Before you put in the eye drops, make sure you wash your hands with soap and water.It's important that you don't introducebacteria to the injured eye.
Step 13: The eye drops are in a bottle.
The first bead of liquid should be discarded once open.This is done to make sure the dropper doesn't come in contact with the eye.
Step 14: Hold a tissue beneath your eye as you tilt your head.
Excess liquid that escapes from the eye will be absorbed by the tissue.If you tilt your head backwards you can allow gravity to work and help the drop soak into the eye.As long as your head is back, you can administer eye drops while standing, sitting or lying down.
Step 15: The eye drops have to be inserted.
Use the index finger of your non-dominant hand to pull down the injured eye.The eye drops into the lid.Follow the directions on the bottle or your doctor's advice if you want to know how many drops to squirt into your eye.Do not exceed the recommended dose.Wait a few minutes between drops to make sure that the first drop gets absorbed and not washed out by the second.Make sure the tip of the dropper doesn't make any contact with your eye, eyelid or eyelash, as this can introduce foreignbacteria into the eye.
Step 16: Close your eyes.
Keep your eye closed for 30 seconds once the drops are in.You can keep your eyes closed for up to two minutes.The eyedrop solution can't leak out of the eye if it's spread across the eyelid.It's important to not squeeze the eye too tightly, as this can cause injury to the eyeball.
Step 17: It's around your eye.
Use a soft cloth or tissue to remove any excess solution from your eye.
Step 18: Protection goggles are worn during certain activities.
You are more likely to hurt it if you scratched it once.It's important to protect your eyes from injury and foreign objects.Studies have shown that wearing protective eyewear can reduce the risk of getting an eye injury.Consider wearing protective goggles when playing sports such as softball, paintball, lacrosse, hockey and racquetball.Chemicals, power tools, and anything that can splatter into your eyes are what you are working with.Weedwhacking and mowing the lawn.A person is riding a motorcycle or bicycle.
Step 19: Don't wear contact lenses for long periods of time.
Your eyes are more prone to injury if you wear contact lenses for long periods of time.For the specific amount of time recommended by your eye doctor, you should only wear contact lenses.If you plan out your day, you won't have to wear your contacts all day.If you want to go for a bike ride in the evening while you work at your computer, you should wear your glasses all day.Bring your glasses with you and change into them when appropriate.
Step 20: Artificial tears can be used to lubricate your eyes.
You can lubricate your eyes with a product like artificial tears.It also lubricates your eyes and helps to clear out foreign objects before they scratch your eye.