Corneal abrasions are a small scratch on the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye. They are generally a result of trauma (injury) to the surface of the eye. Common causes include a fingernail scratching the eye, walking into something, and getting grit in the eye, particularly if the eye is then rubbed. Injuries can also be caused by contact lens insertion and removal.
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Abrasions are very painful because there are many nerves that supply the cornea.The pain gets better as your eye heals, but this can take between 24 and 48 hours.If the abrasion involves the central part of your cornea, your vision could also be temporarily affected.Apart from the pain, your eye might be watery, red and sensitive to light.
If your eye becomes increasingly red or painful, your sight becomes more blurred or you develop very noticeable and spreading redness together with a lot of swelling of the eyelids, you must contact the Practice Manager of your consultant or visit A&E at Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD.
Treatment generally involves a thorough examination of your eye and lids, to check for any trapped foreign body or grit and ensure there is no serious eye injury, followed by drops or ointment and, sometimes, an eye pad.If you are given an eye pad, you will need to keep it on for between 12 and 24 hours; if you find this uncomfortable,you can take it off and use sunglasses instead.
You should also note the following:- You may take ordinary pain killers, such as paracetamol, to help with the pain
- Avoid rubbing or touching your eye
- If you wear contact lenses, don’t use them until your eye is completely healed;you need to see your contact lens practitioner after finishing treatment for your abrasion before you wear your contact lenses again
If you are asked to use drops or ointments, please follow these steps:
- Lie down, or lean your head back, and look up
- Use a clean finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a pocket
- If you are using eye drops, gently squeeze them into the pocket you have created,not directly onto your eye
- If you are using ointment, apply a small strip into the pocket
- Blink to spread the medication over your eye
If your eye becomes increasingly red or painful, your sight becomes more blurred or you develop very noticeable and spreading redness together with a lot of swelling of the eyelids, you must contact the Practice Manager of your consultant or visit A&E at Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD. Remember though that if your consultant or nurses put in pupil dilating (enlarging) drops, your sight will normally be blurred for 12-24 hours after these were put in.
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New Patient Team: 0800 328 3421Corneal abrasion consultants
Professor David Gartry
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Zubin Saihan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Jaheed Khan
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Professor Frank Larkin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Sajjad Ahmad
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Emma Jones
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Vincenzo Maurino
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Alexander Ionides
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Su-yin Koay
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Linda Ficker
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Anant Sharma
Consultant ophthalmic surgeon (private practice in Bedford only)
Miss Poornima Rai
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Maria Theodorou
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Mr George Voyatzis
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Miss Pei-Fen Lin
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Alfonso Vasquez-Perez
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ms Sharon Heng
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Kamran Saha
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Romil Patel
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Rajesh Deshmukh
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Mr Martin Watson
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
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Cataract surgery: What type of lens replacement is right for me?Written by Mr Saab Bhermi, Consultant Ophthalmic SurgeonPaying for treatment
Private Medical InsuranceIf you are covered by private medical insurance, please verify the details with your insurer prior to arrival and if possible, obtain a pre-authorisation number.
Self payYou don’t have to be insured to come to Moorfields Private. Many of our patients pay for their own treatment.
Interest free payment plansWe offer payment plans via a 3rd party provider for the majority of cases within the following procedures:
- Laser eye surgery
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
- Cataract surgery (unilateral and bilateral)
- Squint (Strabismus) surgery
- Glaucoma surgery
- Retinal examination under anaesthetic (City Road only)
- Photodynamic therapy (New Cavendish Street only)
You are able to apply for interest free payment plans for over up to ten months, subject to a credit check and Terms and Conditions. No deposit is required.
For more information please speak to your consultant’s practice manager prior to your consultation.
Third party sponsorshipIf a company, employer or other third party agrees to settle your account, they will be required to provide a letter of guarantee along with a deposit.