The cornea of the eye acts as a protective membrane that covers the iris and pupil of the eye. Besides being very important for vision, the corneal membrane can also filter harmful rays such as ultraviolet light. A scratched cornea, also known as a corneal abrasion, can cause pain, redness, watering of the eye, convulsions, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision. You can heal a scratched cornea without the need for treatment, but you can also seek medical help to ease the pain caused by the wound. Talk to your doctor or a medical professional who specializes in eye problems before you try any of the following methods, as it is important to follow your doctor's advice.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Allowing Cornea to Heal On Its Own Without Treatment
Step 1. Place an ice pack over the injured eye
Cold compresses can help shrink the blood vessels in the eye, so inflammation can be reduced. Cold compresses are also useful for relieving pain caused by injuries because they reduce stimulation of the nerve endings of the eye.
- You can use a spoon as a compress. Fill a cup with very cold water, then dip a clean metal spoon in the cold water and let it sit for about 3 minutes. Gently press the back of the spoon to your eyes, because the skin around your eyes is thin and soft. Spoons will feel cool because metal can withstand cold temperatures much longer than towels and cloths.
- You can also make an ice pack. Fill a plastic bag with ice and close it. Wrap this bag in foil to prevent the ice from melting quickly when exposed to your body heat. Then, wrap it again with a paper towel or towel to secure the contents, so the compress will be less messy and can be used more comfortably. Gently apply the compress to the injured eye, and leave it on for 5 minutes.
- Do not apply ice directly to your eyes, as ice can damage both eyes and skin. Do not put the compress on the eye for more than 15-20 minutes, and do not put pressure on the eye.
Step 2. Wear eye protection such as sunglasses and special eye protection
If the cornea has been scratched before, you are more likely to injure it again. So, it is important that you take precautions to protect your eyes from foreign bodies and injuries. Wear eye protection if you are doing some of the following activities:
- Play sports such as softball, paintball, lacrosse, hockey and racquetball.
- Work with chemicals, electrical equipment, or anything where the material or sparks can get in the eyes.
- Mowing grass and weeding weeds.
- Ride a car with an open roof, motorbike, or bicycle.
- Wearing eye protection is a good idea, even if your eyes are in good health. Protect your eyes more often during the healing process after a corneal abrasion injury. Sunglasses also reduce eye strain when viewing light.
Step 3. Do not wear contact lenses, for at least two days after the injury
If you are a contact lens wearer, replace your contact lenses with glasses for a few days. Contact lenses can put pressure on the injured cornea as well as cause infection.
- If for some reason you have to wear contact lenses, it is important that you make sure they are clean. Clean contact lenses will reduce the chance of the injured eye becoming infected.
- Talk to your eye doctor about when exactly you can wear contact lenses again.
Step 4. Avoid wearing an eye patch
An eye patch can increase the temperature in the area of the closed eye, and have the opposite effect of using an ice pack. The heat will make the pain worse and make the redness of the eyes worse, because the heat causes the blood vessels in the eyes to widen.
There is an exception to this rule, namely if you have had corneal transplant surgery. You do have to wear a blindfold if you've ever done so
Step 5. Don't rub your eyes
An injured cornea can cause the eye to itch and you may be tempted to rub your eye. Try not to do this because rubbing your eyes will exacerbate the existing damage to the cornea and cause the eye to become infected.
Instead of rubbing your eyes, run cold water on the itchy eyes for a moment. Cold water can help reduce the itching sensation you feel
Step 6. Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables when your eyes are healing, so you can get all the nutrients you need to speed up the process
You should eat foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. The following are some foods that can help speed healing of eye injuries:
- Vitamin C. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for men is at least 90mg and for women 75mg. Extra health benefits can be obtained if you consume vitamin C more than 250mg per day. Good sources of vitamin C are broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, guava, bell peppers, grapes, oranges, berries, lychees, and pumpkin.
- Vitamin E. The recommended minimum consumption per day is 22 IU for men and 33 IU for women. But just as before, more benefits can only be obtained if you take vitamin E above 250mg. Good sources of vitamin E include almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, spinach, peanut butter, collard greens, avocados, mangoes, hazelnuts, and chard.
- B vitamins can also help the eye healing process. Sources of B vitamins include wild salmon, skinless turkey, bananas, potatoes, beans, halibut, tuna, cod, nut milk, and cheese.
- Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for health if consumed above 6mg. These two substances are naturally present in the retina and lens of the eye, and work as natural antioxidants that help absorb harsh light and UV light. Both are found in many green vegetables.
- Discuss changes to your diet with your doctor before adding supplements. Always follow the advice of your doctor before changing your diet.
Step 7. Get plenty of rest
When you allow your body to rest, it can try to heal the eye injury.
Method 2 of 2: Medically Healing Corneal Wounds
Step 1. Use an ophthalmic decongestant
This drug can be purchased at regular pharmacies and is available in the form of a liquid that can activate vascular receptors so that blood vessels become narrow. Thus, the redness of the eyes can improve temporarily. There are several types of decongestant eye medications, such as:
- Naphazoline eye drops, such as the brand Napchon. Put 1-2 drops of medicine on the injured eye every 6 hours. Do not use this medication for more than 48 hours in a row.
- Tetrahydrozoline eye drops, such as the brand Visine. Put 1-2 drops of the medicine on the injured eye every 6 hours, but do not continue to use it for more than 48 hours.
- Remove contact lenses before using the above drops. Do not mix the drops, and do not stick the tip of the medicine package to the eye to prevent contamination.
- Consult an ophthalmologist or medical professional before using eye medications that you buy at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.
Step 2. Use hypertonic sodium chloride solution
This drug (can be purchased directly at the pharmacy without a prescription) is available in the form of eye drops or ointment. This drug works to reduce pain and swelling, and absorbs excess fluid in the eye due to its high salt content. Try one of the following medications:
- Muro 128 5% eye drops. Apply 1-2 drops of the medicine to the injured eye every 4 hours. Do not use it for more than 72 hours in a row.
- Muro 128 5% ointment. Pull the lower eyelid (injured eye) and apply a small amount of ointment on the inside. Do it once a day or as directed by a doctor.
Step 3. Try wearing an eye lubricant
Eye lubricants are mostly used to treat perforations of the cornea that occur because the body does not produce enough tears. Most of the following lubricants can be purchased over the counter without a prescription:
Visine TEARS and Tears Naturale Forte
Step 4. Get medical help
Corneal abrasions generally take 1-5 days to heal. A serious or infected scratch requires antibacterial eye drops or other treatment for it to fully heal. Call your doctor if the scratch doesn't heal or gets worse, or if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Strong and constant pain
- Shadowed vision or headaches
- Dizziness or vertigo
- You suspect a foreign body is still in the eye.
- You experience a combination of symptoms such as blurred vision, eye redness, serious pain, watery eyes, and extreme sensitivity to light
- There is a perforation of the cornea (an open wound in the corneal membrane), which is usually caused by an eye infection
- Eyes discharge green, yellow, or pus accompanied by blood
- You see a flash of light or you visualize some small dark object or shadow floating around you.
- You have a fever
- Any new symptoms that appear
Step 5. Ask your doctor to prescribe antibiotics to fight infection
Antibiotics fight infections that can spread when the cornea is injured. Infection can be caused by bacterial contamination at the time of injury or occur later due to improper treatment. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications:
- Erythromycin eye ointment, applied 4 times a day to the injured eye area, for 3-5 days.
- Sulacetamide eye ointment, applied 4 times a day to the injured eye area, for 3-5 days.
- Polymyxin-trimethoprim eye drops, 1-2 drops for each use, are used 4 times a day on the injured eye area for 3-5 days.
- Ciprofloxacin eye drops, 1-2 drops for each use, are used 4 times a day on the injured eye area for 3-5 days.
- Ofloxacin eye drops, 1-2 drops for each use, are used 4 times a day on the injured eye area for 3-5 days.
- Levofloxacin eye drops, 1-2 drops for each use, are used every 2 hours (while awake) on the injured eye area for the first two days. Then after that, use it every 6 hours for the next five days. This antibiotic is especially given to contact lens wearers.
Step 6. Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain or to prepare yourself for surgery
NSAIDs for external use can help relieve pain. In addition, this drug is also given as a treatment before undergoing corneal transplant surgery. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
- Ketorolac eye drops: use 1 drop 4 times a day, for a week.
- Diclofenac eye drops: use 1 drop of Voltaren eye drops 4 times a day, for a week.
Step 7. Perform surgery if corneal damage is serious
Most people who have persistent pain after injuring the cornea, or have severe and permanent corneal damage, need surgery. This is usually caused by scar tissue or infection from a previous corneal abrasion, also known as recurrent corneal erosion.
- There are two types of surgery you can consider. The first type is to remove abnormal or epithelial tissue. If the cornea has been damaged beyond repair, you should consider a second type of surgery, namely a corneal transplant, in which the procedure involves replacing the damaged cornea with a corneal membrane from a donor.
- You should consider having transplant surgery if you have permanent corneal scars due to an acute injury, and these scars are really interfering with your daily activities. In addition to scars, surgery may also be needed if the cornea has suffered irreparable structural damage. Ultimately, you may want to consider doing it as a backup plan for treating an acute eye condition after all other options have failed.
- The healing process after corneal surgery can take years. You should still check the condition of the eye to the doctor postoperatively.
Warning
- If you have fever, nausea, vomiting, changes in vision, or other unexplained symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
- Do not use compresses made from foods such as cold cucumbers. Cucumbers can contaminate the eyes, especially eyes that are damaged and prone to infection. This can happen when the cold cucumber starts to release water (because it is exposed to the outside air), especially if the cucumber has bacteria in it. Using sterile materials is the best choice.
