Corneal injury
Corneal injury is a wound to the part of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue that covers the front of the eye. It works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina.
Causes
Injuries to the cornea are common.
Injuries to the outer surface may be due to:
- Abrasions -- Includes scratches or scrapes on the surface of the cornea
- Chemical injuries -- Caused by almost any fluid that gets into the eye
- Contact lens problems -- Overuse, poor fit, or sensitivity to contact lens care solutions
- Foreign bodies -- Exposure to something in the eye such as sand or dust
- Ultraviolet injuries -- Caused by sunlight, sun lamps, snow or water reflections, or arc-welding
Infections may also damage the cornea.
Infections
The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye. A corneal ulcer is an open sore in the outer layer of the cornea. It is often caused by inf...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYou are more likely to develop a corneal injury if you:
- Are exposed to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light for long periods of time
- Have ill-fitting contact lenses or overuse your contact lenses
- Have very dry eyes
Dry eyes
You need tears to moisten the eyes and to wash away particles that have gotten into your eyes. A healthy tear film on the eye is necessary for good ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Work in a dusty environment
- Use a hammer or power tools without wearing safety glasses
High-speed particles, such as chips from hammering metal on metal, may get stuck in the surface of the cornea. Rarely, they may penetrate deeper into the eye.
Corneal injury - Animation
Injury or infection of the cornea, the transparent front window of the eye, can lead to serious visual impairment.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain or stinging and burning in the eye
Eye pain
Pain in the eye may be described as a burning, throbbing, aching, or stabbing sensation in or around the eye. It may also feel like you have a forei...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Feeling like something is in your eye (may be caused by a scratch or something in your eye)
- Light sensitivity
- Redness of the eye
Redness of the eye
Eye redness is most often due to swollen or dilated blood vessels. This makes the surface of the eye look red or bloodshot.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Swollen eyelids
- Watery eyes or increased tearing
Exams and Tests
You will need to have a complete eye test. The health care provider may use eye drops containing fluorescein dye to help look for injuries.
Tests may include:
- Standard eye exam
Standard eye exam
A standard eye exam is a series of tests done to check your vision and the health of your eyes.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Slit lamp examination
Slit lamp examination
The slit-lamp examination looks at structures that are at the front of the eye.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
Treatment
First aid for eye emergencies:
Eye emergencies
Eye emergencies include cuts, scratches, objects in the eye, burns, chemical exposure, and blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid. Certain eye infectio...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- Do not try to remove an object that is stuck in your eye without professional medical help.
- If chemicals are splashed in the eye, immediately flush the eye with water for 15 minutes. The person should be quickly taken to the nearest emergency room.
Anyone with severe eye pain needs to be seen in an emergency care center or examined by an ophthalmologist right away.
Treatment for corneal injuries may involve:
- Removing foreign material from the eye
- Wearing an eye patch or temporary bandage contact lens
- Using eye drops or ointments prescribed by the doctor
- Not wearing contact lenses until the eye has healed
- Taking pain medicines
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most of the time, injuries that affect only the surface of the cornea heal very quickly with treatment. The eye should be back to normal within 2 days. For more serious injuries or when there may be delayed healing, placement of an amniotic membrane (from purified placental tissue) can be very helpful.
Injuries that penetrate the cornea are much more serious. The outcome depends on the specific injury.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if the injury is not better after 2 days of treatment.
Prevention
Things you can do to prevent corneal injuries include:
- Wear safety goggles at all times when using hand or power tools or chemicals, during high impact sports, or during other activities where you may get an eye injury.
- Wear sunglasses that screen ultraviolet light when you are exposed to sunlight or are in the vicinity of arc welding. Wear this type of sunglasses even during the winter.
- Be careful when using household cleaners. Many household products contain strong chemicals. Drain and oven cleaners are very dangerous. They can lead to blindness if not used properly.
Reviewed By
Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dang DH, Riaz KM, Karamichos D. Treatment of non-infectious corneal injury: review of diagnostic agents, therapeutic medications, and future targets. Drugs. 2022;82(2):145-167. PMID: 35025078 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35025078/.
Fowler GC. Corneal abrasions and removal of corneal or conjunctival foreign bodies. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 200.
Guluma K, Lee JE. Ophthalmology. In: Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 57.
Knoop KJ, Dennis WR. Ophthalmologic procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 62.
Rao NK, Goldstein MH. Acid and alkali burns. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 4.26.