What is the difference between a corneal abrasion and a corneal laceration?

A corneal abrasion is a scratch to the surface of the cornea. Symptoms of a corneal abrasion and corneal laceration include redness, pain, light sensitivity, excessive squinting, and the feeling of a foreign body in the eye. With a corneal laceration, the pain will be more severe.

What is scleral abrasion?

A corneal abrasion is a superficial scratch on the clear, protective “window” at the front of your eye (cornea). Your cornea can be scratched by contact with dust, dirt, sand, wood shavings, metal particles, contact lenses or even the edge of a piece of paper.

What is the difference between a corneal ulcer and an abrasion?

A corneal abrasion is a scrape of the top layer, the epithelium, but does not go through Bowman’s layer underneath this. A corneal ulcer is an open sore/erosion (from inflammation or infection) that goes through Bowman’s layer into the deeper layers of the cornea.

What is worse than a corneal abrasion?

A corneal laceration is a much deeper and more serious eye injury than an abrasion. This type of injury involves either a partial or full cut on the cornea. A deep laceration may even cut completely through the cornea into the eyeball itself.

What is the prognosis of corneal abrasion?

The prognosis is typically excellent , with full recovery of vision if treatment is prompt; nevertheless, without treatment, corneal abrasions can cause blinding corneal ulcers. Some deep abrasions (e.g., those involving the corneal stromal layer) in the central visual axis (i.e., the primary area of the cornea straight over the pupil) heal but leave a scar.

Can a corneal abrasion heal on its own?

Minor corneal abrasions will usually heal on their own within a few days. It is always a good idea to see your doctor even for minor scratches, however, as preventing infection in the eye is very important.

How to prevent getting a corneal abrasion?

Carefully trim your infant’s fingernails.

How long does it take for an abrasion to heal?

No matter how you treat a skin abrasion, they typically heal at different speeds. Many minor scrapes will heal within a week, but larger skin abrasions can take up to two weeks to heal. Seeing some fluid drain from a skin abrasion is normal, as long as the wound is not infected.