Corneal Abrasion (Scratched Eye): Symptoms, First Aid and Healing
Quick answer: A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, often from a fingernail, branch, makeup brush, contact lens or dust. It causes sharp pain, watering, light sensitivity and a feeling that something is in the eye. Small abrasions usually heal within one to three days, but they need an eye examination to remove any foreign body and to check for infection, especially in contact lens wearers.
Noticed this in your own eyes? Book an eye examination (NPR 400) with an optometrist at Vision Concern Lazimpat, Boudha-Tushal or Makalbari. WhatsApp +977 9841466716.
Related service: Comprehensive eye examination (NPR 400) at Vision Concern Lazimpat, Boudha-Tushal and Makalbari.
First aid
- Rinse the eye gently with clean water or saline
- Blink several times; do not rub
- Remove contact lenses and do not reinsert them
- Do not try to remove anything stuck to the eye with tweezers or cotton buds
- Wear sunglasses if light hurts
How it is assessed and treated
The cornea is checked with a special dye and a blue light that shows scratches. Any trapped particle is removed. Treatment often includes antibiotic drops or ointment from a doctor to prevent infection, and lubricating drops for comfort. Patching is rarely needed now.
Healing time
Most small abrasions heal in 24 to 72 hours. Larger ones can take longer. Some people later develop recurrent erosion, waking with sudden pain where the scratch was; lubricating ointment at night helps prevent this.
When to get urgent care
Get urgent eye care if pain is severe, vision is reduced, there was a high-speed injury (grinding, hammering), a chemical splash, or the scratch happened while wearing contact lenses. Chemical splashes need immediate rinsing for at least 15 minutes first.
How Vision Concern can help
Vision Concern optometrists in Kathmandu can examine your eyes, record what they find for comparison, update your glasses or contact lenses, and refer you to an ophthalmologist or eye hospital when medical treatment is needed. Vision Concern does not perform surgery or injections.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a scratched eye take to heal?
Usually one to three days for a small scratch.
Can I wear contact lenses after a corneal abrasion?
Not until it has healed fully and an eye professional has advised it is safe.
Should I patch a scratched eye?
Patching is not usually recommended now; follow the advice of the clinician who examines you.
This guide is general information from the Vision Concern editorial team. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an eye examination or medical advice.
Yes. Many visitors, particularly from Bangladesh and West Bengal (Kolkata), come to Nepal for cataract, retina, or other eye surgery at a hospital and also want new glasses, a general eye exam, or contact lenses at the same time, before or after their procedure. Vision Concern is an optical and eye-examination clinic, not a surgical hospital, so we work alongside hospitals such as Tilganga: we are happy to see you for glasses, contact lenses, or a routine check-up either side of your surgical treatment elsewhere.
No conversion is needed. Eyeglass prescriptions from Germany, France, the UK, the USA, China, Russia, and almost every other country use the same international format, SPH (sphere), CYL (cylinder), and AXIS, measured in diopters. Our opticians read this directly, so you can bring your prescription paper, a photo of it on your phone, or simply your current glasses, and we will use the same values. If your prescription is more than a year or two old, we recommend a quick, free re-check before we make your new pair.
Yes. Above roughly 3,000 metres, UV exposure increases sharply because of the thinner atmosphere and reflection off snow, and ordinary sunglasses (category 2-3) do not block enough UV to prevent snow blindness (photokeratitis). We recommend glacier glasses or category-4 sunglasses with side shields, and can fit these with your own prescription if needed. Vision Concern offers ZEISS polarized, UV400-certified sunglasses with prescription lenses, which we can prepare before you set off on your trek.