A corneal abrasion — or scratched eye — is one of the most painful things a person can experience, even though the scratch itself may be tiny. The cornea is one of the most densely innervated tissues in the human body, which means even a surface-level graze causes intense, immediate pain.
The good news: corneal abrasions heal quickly with the right treatment. The risk is infection — which is why prompt, correct management matters.
Scratched your eye?
Call Prime Optometrists Auburn on (02) 9761 0005 for same-day assessment and treatment. Do not wait — even small abrasions can become infected overnight.
What Causes a Corneal Abrasion?
- Fingernail or baby's fingernail scratching the eye surface
- Contact lenses — especially if worn for too long or put in with dirt on them
- Tree branches, leaves, or twigs
- Foreign material like dust, sawdust, or metal filings
- Workplace injuries — common in construction, manufacturing and industrial areas like Silverwater, Granville and Clyde
- Sports injuries — fingers, balls, and equipment making contact with the eye
Symptoms of a Corneal Abrasion
- Intense eye pain, often described as feeling like something is still in the eye
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Blurry vision
- Redness
- Spasm of the eyelid (blepharospasm) — difficulty keeping the eye open
Even if the pain eases slightly, do not assume the abrasion has healed. Topical anaesthetic (which we apply in-clinic) temporarily masks the pain but does not treat the injury. Without antibiotic cover, infection risk remains.
What to Do Immediately
- Do not rub the eye — this can worsen the abrasion or push foreign material deeper
- Blink gently to try to dislodge loose debris — do not try to wipe the surface
- Flush with clean water or saline if you suspect loose particles
- Remove contact lenses if wearing them
- Call us on (02) 9761 0005 for same-day assessment
How We Treat Corneal Abrasions
At Prime Optometrists Auburn, Dr Tahiri assesses corneal abrasions using a slit lamp microscope and fluorescein dye — a safe orange dye that, under blue light, makes the abrasion clearly visible and allows us to measure its size and depth.
Treatment typically includes:
- Topical anaesthetic to relieve pain during examination
- Antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent bacterial infection
- Lubricating drops to support healing of the epithelium
- Advice on activity restrictions (no contact lenses until fully healed)
- Follow-up review within 24–48 hours for larger abrasions
Most corneal abrasions heal within 24–72 hours with correct treatment. Deeper or larger abrasions may take longer and require ongoing monitoring.
When to Be Concerned
Call us or go to emergency if your abrasion involved a high-velocity impact (metal grinding, nail gun, or explosion) — these may involve deeper penetrating injuries that require ophthalmology assessment. Also seek urgent care if pain worsens after 24 hours or if you notice a white spot forming on the cornea (which may indicate an early infection or ulcer).