The doctors at Iowa EyeCare have a different term for “scratched eye”. We call it a corneal abrasion. The cornea is the clear window in front of the colored part of your eye. It’s about the thickness of a credit card and has 5 different layers. The front or top layer, the epithelium, is designed to protect the rest of the cornea, but it’s also very sensitive and susceptible to damage. When the epithelium is injured by an abrasion, the eye is at risk contracting an infection. Corneal infections can have severe consequences, including permanent vision loss.
Prompt care can help to protect the eye and prevent permanent vision loss. An antibiotic eye drop is usually required to help thwart infection and get you feeling better again. Your doctor may also choose to use additional medications or even a bandage contact lens, depending on the nature of the injury. Either way, close monitoring of the abraded eye is critical. It is important to follow up as directed by your Iowa EyeCare optometrist.
Prevention is always the best medicine. Never forget to use safety glasses when it is appropriate, especially when doing yard work or working with metal. A scratched eye can be very painful and it is important to seek medical care immediately. At Iowa EyeCare we have a doctor on call 24 hours and day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to care for any type of eye emergency.
If you or someone close to you has an eye emergency, you’ll want to call us right away. Our phone number is 319-377-2222. Keep number on hand, so when bad things happen your prepared.
Visit us on our website www.iowaeyecare.com
