Scratched Eye (Corneal Abrasion)

Scratched eyes normally heal by themselves after a few days. The best thing you can do to heal a scratched eye is to have plenty of rest and avoid aggravating it (for example, by looking at bright lights or rubbing your eyelids). Your optometrist may also recommend using antibiotic eye drops or eye ointments. 

If you've scratched your eye today, getting plenty of rest is one of the best things you can do to help it heal. A cornea scratch usually takes at least a couple of days to get better, so it may not be fully healed after one night's sleep ‑ but you should notice an improvement. If your doctor has prescribed you with antibiotic eyedrops or any other medication, use them as instructed. 

If you've scratched your eye and you're far from medical help, follow basic first aid. If you have access to clean water (preferably recently boiled then cooled and filtered) use it to gently wash out your eye. You can also blink to help clean it. Rest and recover as much as possible. Because there's more chance of things getting in your eye in the Outback, you may want to use gauze to cover your closed eyelid until you get somewhere you can be treated. If the eye is painful, take over‑the‑counter painkillers. 

Maybe, but it depends on what's caused the eye scratch, your symptoms, and the nature of your job. The issue is that many jobs require you to use your eyes a lot, whereas you need to rest your eyes to recover quickly from a corneal abrasion. In an ideal world, you'd rest at home until you're fully recovered, but we know that's not always possible. In the first place, speak to your doctor and the health and safety rep at your workplace to discuss what you can do.

Yes, if you have a valid Medicare card, you can receive a comprehensive eye examination anywhere in Australia. 

It depends on how much damage has been done to your cornea. Generally, smaller scratches take 2‑3 days to heal, while larger scratches might take around 4‑5 days.

We generally advise against driving until your scratched eye has fully recovered. Corneal abrasions can make your eyes uncomfortable, water or make them blurry, which could make driving less safe since you might not be able to see as clearly. It's also really distracting if your eye hurts while you're driving. 

No, corneal abrasions don't usually cause permanent damage. Most people's corneas heal very quickly after scrapes and scratches, and you should return to normal after a few days. However, if the scratch gets infected, it could potentially lead to more damage ‑ so it's really important to see an optometrist.

Eye herpes can cause inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of your cornea, among other symptoms. 

Learn more about eye herpes
 

This common condition affects the surface of your eyelid, and can make it feel like you have grit in your eye. 
 
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Styes cause small, painful lumps on the eyelid ‑ and can feel a bit like a scratched eye. 
 
Learn more about styes

Dry eye syndrome is when your eyes don't produce enough tears, and can cause a gritty feeling in your eyes. 
 
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Swollen eyelids can happen for a few different reasons, and cause sensitivity to light ‑ among other issues. 

Learn more about swollen eyelids