A scratched eye or corneal abrasion occurs if an object scrapes the eye or if a foreign object damages the cornea. Since the cornea is a delicate structure, it is prone to injury.
Depending on the severity of the damage, the symptoms are non-existent, minimal, slightly annoying or severe. A scratched cornea generally heals without treatment in 2 days, but might take as long as a week. A doctor must be consulted to rule out the likelihood of a severe eye injury, especially if the eye does not settle in 2 days.
Remember that you cannot evidently see the scratch in the eye. If there is an eye injury or an object embedded in the eye, seek medical care.
Irritation from a scratched eye
If the cornea has been scratched, there is a sensation of an object in the eye even if there is no object present. Depending on the seriousness of the scratch, it might feel like having a grit of sand in the eye or a rock.
Eye irritation is often bothersome and urges the individual to rub the eye as an attempt to remove the object. It is vital to resist the urge to rub the eye.
In case there is something within the eye, rubbing will only worsen the damage. Even if nothing is present in the eye, rubbing worsens the irritation which makes the symptoms last longer. If something is suspected in the eye, wash it out using water. A doctor must be seen if you cannot remove the object.
Pain and burning sensation
The indications of a scratched eye often include burning sensation and pain due to the damage to the delicate tissues of the cornea. The affected eye might become reddened or watery to wash out the object.
Since the cornea is sensitive, the pain and burning sensation are often worse than the injury. Even though a scratched eye might be painful, most cases do not result to lasting eye injury.
Light sensitivity
Once the cornea is damaged, the affected area becomes sensitive to light that is noticed when outdoors on a sunny day. The light appears brighter if the cornea is irritated.
The variance with a scratched eye is that it could not attune to bright light in a few minutes. It is recommended to use sunglasses or cover the eye using a patch to prevent discomfort if light sensitivity is present.
Blurred vision
The vision might be slightly blurred if one has a scratched cornea. The blurring is brief and settles once the injury has healed.
The individual should rest the affected eye by closing it or covering with a patch to promote healing. In case the vision is significantly blurred, a doctor should be seen to rule out a serious eye injury.
More Information / Disclaimer
The information posted on this page on a scratched eye is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize and manage this eye injury by taking a standard first aid course with Saskatoon First Aid.