Symptoms:
Sharp pain when blinking
Excessive tearing
Redness and inflammation
Blurry vision
Light sensitivity (photophobia)
Sensation of something stuck in the eye
Diagnosis:
Clinical examination by an ophthalmologist
Assessment to rule out more serious issues like ulcers
Treatment:
Lubricating eye drops to support healing
Antibiotic drops or ointments to prevent infection
Avoiding contact lenses during recovery
Rarely, patching the eye (especially for children)
Severe or persistent cases may require advanced care
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
A scratch or injury to your cornea can occur due to several issues, ranging from trauma or foreign objects entering your eye to the effect having dry eyes can have. In all cases, we refer to these injuries as corneal abrasions. Clinica London’s ophthalmologists specialise in diagnosis and corneal abrasion treatment that is precise, personalised, and will ensure a rapid recovery from this condition.
Your cornea is the clear protective layer in front of your eye. Specifically, five layers comprise the protective “sheath” of your cornea, including a top layer named the “epithelium.” When this top layer gets damaged via a scratch or similar injury, you have a corneal abrasion. It is among the most common eye injuries you can have. Such injuries are typically minor, though scratches – often caused by rubbing your eyes or getting some foreign object caught under your eyelid – can develop into infections if left untreated.
Since your corneas are entirely transparent, it is almost impossible to detect a corneal abrasion by looking at your eye in the mirror. So, being aware of the condition’s symptoms is often the best way to determine if you have such an abrasion. Corneal abrasion symptoms include the following:
A corneal abrasion can occur for several reasons, some of which are remarkably benign. Trauma to your eye is among the most common. A poke to your eye, especially when accompanied by a nail scratch, is a common cause, as is rubbing a coarse material, such as a makeup brush or tree branch, against your cornea.
Corneal abrasion can also occur due to ill-fitting contact lenses that scrape your eye as they are inserted. The same applies to foreign objects – sand, dust, and the like – getting underneath your eyelid and scratching your cornea as you blink.
Dry eyes can also be problematic. Tears replenish the cornea with nutrients and oxygen. However, dry eyes mean fewer tears, which weakens the cornea to the point where it is more susceptible to abrasion.
Both abrasions and ulcers of the cornea are common and are commonly associated with issues like eye trauma and dry eyes. However, despite impacting the same region, a corneal abrasion and ulcer are two very different things, as outlined in the following table:
Corneal Abrasion | Corneal Ulcer | |
Cause | Superficial scratching or trauma affecting your cornea. | Severe inflammation or infections causing injury to your cornea. |
Appearance | Minimal physical difference beyond occasional reddening around the eye. | Clouding of the cornea as a result of pus filling the wound. |
Treatment | Corneal abrasion treatment typically involves lubricating drops. Antibiotics may be prescribed if required. | Application of aggressive antifungal or antibiotic treatment. |
Pain Level | Immediate and often quite sharp, especially when blinking. | Severe pain that persists and irritates at all hours. |
Healing Time | Corneal abrasion healing time is usually a handful of days. | Multiple weeks with the prospect of scarring. |
If you suspect that you have a corneal abrasion or ulcer, consult a Clinica London specialist immediately. We can diagnose the issue and ensure that you receive the personalised treatment needed to overcome it.
The cornea is the clear, round, domed covering of the front of the eye, in front of the iris and the pupil. It is transparent, and through it, you can see the person’s iris and pupil. It helps to focus light as it enters the eye and directs light through the pupil to the retina, then the brain, so that you can see clearly. The cornea is very tough and helps to protect the inside of the eye from the outside world. It has various cellular layers starting at the front with a corneal epithelium. This consists of clear epithelial cells without any keratin, and it has a strong, deep layer of the epithelium called the Bowman’s layer.
A corneal abrasion is, in fact, corneal epithelial abrasion and is usually only affecting the superficial layer of the cornea. The main bulk of the cornea is called the stroma, which is made up of clear collagen fibres. Next to the stroma is another strong membrane called Descemet’s membrane. Just beyond Descemet’s membrane is a single layer of endothelial cells, which have a high metabolism and help to provide nutrients to the deeper part of the cornea.
The severity of your corneal abrasion impacts the treatment your Clinica London specialist prescribes. The following may be recommended to you depending on the nature of your abrasion and your circumstances:
Corneal abrasion healing time varies depending on the severity of the injury. For minor scratches, it typically takes one to three days for your cornea to heal as long as you follow the treatment prescribed by your Clinica London specialist. Deeper scratches – classified as “moderate” or “severe” – may take up to a week or a little longer to heal. If your symptoms persist after a week, we recommend consulting with your specialist for an evaluation. Further treatment and an examination to ensure no complications may be required.
Beyond the corneal abrasion treatment prescribed by your Clinica London specialist, there are several things you can do to enhance your recovery:
It is often difficult to determine precisely when seeking an eye specialist is required. Minor corneal abrasions can feel like having an eyelash or something similar stuck in your eye, for instance. Still, we recommend arranging a consultation to see a Clinica London ophthalmologist in several circumstances.
The first of these instances is persistent sharp pain that lasts for over 48 hours, as this pain suggests a scratch on your cornea. Severe pain even before the end of that 48-hour window is another sign that it is time to seek professional help. The same applies if you are experiencing blurriness or loss of vision and if the affected eye is tearing excessively.
Also, look for physical signs of an issue with your cornea. Redness tends to indicate a corneal abrasion, whereas yellow discharge or more severe inflammation suggests the development of an ulcer – both signs that you should speak to your Clinica London specialist.
In most cases, corneal abrasions heal with proper care and treatment. However, if complications arise or the damage is more severe than initially expected, further medical intervention may be required. In rare instances, persistent scarring or recurrent issues could necessitate advanced procedures such as a Corneal Transplant to restore clear vision. If you are experiencing ongoing discomfort or have concerns about your eye health, don’t hesitate to contact our specialists for expert guidance and personalised care.
The patient-centric differences between a corneal abrasion and an ulcer lie in how the two look and feel. Abrasions often lead to sharp pains that persist over time, though you may see limited physical differences in your eye beyond reddening. An ulcer causes more severe pain and is typically accompanied by a visible cloudiness present on the cornea created by the pus inside the ulcer.
Reddening of the eye is often more pronounced in a corneal abrasion, though that does not mean it cannot be present if you have an ulcer. Under examination, your ophthalmologist will also be able to see an “area of infiltration” if you have an ulcer. This small white spot can represent an infection of a mereological response signifying severe inflammation. Corneal ulcers are also more common to contact lens wearers, though this does not mean that contact wearers cannot experience corneal abrasion.
Excessive tearing in your eye is a key symptom, as is a sharp pain (often persisting for several hours or days) whenever you blink. Redness around your eye is a physical sign that you have a corneal abrasion. Sensitivity to light is also an issue – feeling uncomfortable in bright conditions indicates a problem with your cornea.
Corneal abrasion is most often treated using eye drops designed to moisten the cornea and enhance the natural healing properties of your tears. Beyond this lubrication, we may recommend antibiotic drops, mainly when there is a risk of infection. Avoiding activities that strain your eye – such as staring at screens for protracted periods – and refraining from rubbing your eye too strenuously also fall under the corneal abrasion treatment umbrella.
Clinica London recommends avoiding all contact lens usage until we confirm your corneal abrasion is fully healed. It is also worth having a specialist examine your current contact lenses – incorrect lens fit is a common cause of scratches to your cornea.
Minor abrasions should heal within three days, assuming you follow your specialist’s recommendations for treatment and ongoing care. However, more severe or larger scratches to your cornea can take longer to heal, with recovery times of about a week not being uncommon.
Once the abrasion has healed it does not recur in the majority of cases. However there is a rare condition called ‘Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome’ (RCES), where the weak epithelium in the area of the abrasion repeatedly breaks down. Typically causing sharp intense pain in the eye on waking. If you have developed this please speak to your Clinica London specialist for a personalised management plan.
At Clinica London, we have two Oculoplastic specialist surgeons, (also known as oculofacial plastic surgeons); Miss Michelle Ting and Miss Jane Olver. Their training and experience enable them to maintain and restore eyelid function and natural eye appearance through their delicate oculofacial plastic surgery skills.
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
Getting the right treatment for myopia now could prevent serious eye problems later in your life. To find out more about the available treatments for myopia, book a consultation.
Telephone: 020 7935 7990
International Callers : +44 20 7935 7990
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