Corneal Abrasion: What Is It & How Can You Prevent It

Our eyes are essential parts of our body, and like the others, they are also prone to having issues. For instance, you can injure your eyes from poking or sand under your eyelids. These things might be simple, but they can hurt—and worse, they can cause a corneal abrasion.

What is a corneal abrasion, and how can you prevent having one? Continue reading to find out.

What Is Corneal Abrasion?

A corneal abrasion is a minor injury on the eye’s surface, and while it may seem painful, it can be treated—and will heal. You may have a corneal abrasion when tissue scraps off your eye’s surface. If you get a foreign object in your eye or rub it on hard surfaces, this can happen.

There are different corneal abrasions, and each can affect the cornea differently. These can range from minor and not needing treatment to a condition called corneal scarring that may require corrective surgery. Ultimately, prevention is key in protecting the cornea.

What Causes Corneal Abrasion?

As mentioned earlier, there are different corneal abrasions, and each has its specific cause. Here are the most common reasons for corneal abrasion:

1. Foreign Objects in the Eye

You can have a corneal abrasion when a foreign object gets in your eye. When this happens, the object can scrape off the cornea’s surface and cause a corneal abrasion. It can be anything from a grain of sand, a twig to a needle. Be careful with your eyes, and always wash your hands before touching your eyes to prevent eye injuries.

2. Caught on a Surface

A corneal abrasion can also occur when you rub your eyes on hard surfaces like walls or trees. It can result in your eye-catching on the surface, which can scrape the cornea’s surface. Protect your eyes by avoiding rubbing them on hard surfaces or catching them on sharp surfaces.

3. Falling

Your corneas can be scraped off when the ground catches you when you fall. This can happen when you trip and fall hard, hitting your face on the ground. Protect your eyes when you are in dangerous places, and always wear protective eyewear when you have to go into those places.

4. Blow to the Face

A blow to the face can also cause a corneal abrasion. Be careful when playing sports or in dangerous places, and always wear protective eyewear.

5. An Eye Infection

When you have an eye infection or a bacterial infection, it can spread to the cornea. When this happens, it can cause the cornea to be inflamed and result in corneal abrasion. Treat any eye infections immediately and avoid getting them in the first place by maintaining good hygiene and washing your hands regularly.

How Can You Prevent Corneal Abrasion?

Preventing a corneal abrasion is not always possible. However, you can easily avoid the aggravation of your corneal abrasion. Here are some tips to help you reduce the risk of getting a corneal abrasion:

• Stay away from dangerous places. It can be tempting to go somewhere risky just for fun, but you should always consider the risks.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to your surroundings and watch out for your surroundings. Avoid walking into dangerous places too.
• Wear protective eyewear. Always wear eye protection when you are in dangerous places. If you are playing sports, wear protective eyewear.
• Wash your hands regularly. Not only should you wash your hands before touching your eyes, but you should also wash your hands regularly to help prevent the spread of any eye infections.
• Clean your contact lenses. Follow the prescription of your eye doctor and clean your contact lenses regularly.

Final Thoughts

Corneal abrasions are minor injuries, and they can be treated. While it may not cause you to lose your vision, it can be very painful. As mentioned, prevention is critical when it comes to this eye concern.

If you need a primary care physician in Santa Fe for an urgent corneal abrasion treatment, you can visit Aspen Medical Center. We provide urgent care for people with immediate health concerns, including acute respiratory infections, fevers, sprains, UTIs, and eye emergencies. Call us at 505-466-5885 for more information.