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Scratched Cornea: Treatment and Recovery
Any sort of injury to the eye can be a cause of concern, and should be tended to promptly. The human eye is very delicate, made up by thin tissue that can easily be damaged. Eye injuries can be quite painful, and in more serious cases, lead to sight-threatening complications. A scratched cornea is one of the more common injuries, and can happen in an instant.
The Cornea
The cornea of the eye is an avascular tissue that performs as a barrier to protect it from infection. This layer keeps out germs and particles, preventing contamination. As the eye’s outermost lens, it also controls light entry and filters out harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. It plays a major role in your vision, such as helping the eye to focus. The cornea manipulates and refracts light so you can see things up close or far away. Though the cornea is considered the outermost layer of the eye, the cornea itself consists of 5 layers. These layers are known as the epithelium, Bowman’s layer, stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and endothelium.
Treatment
A scratched cornea occurs when you’ve scratched your eye. This can happen by having it poked, contact with dirt or sand, exposure to chemicals, or overworn contact lenses. Closing your eyes won’t make the pain go away, and any entry of light will only make it worse. Treatment will require you to flush the eye out with saline solution to help remove any particles that got stuck in the eye. Avoid rubbing the eye to prevent the damage from worsening. A doctor might prescribe antibiotic eye drops to help prevent infection and to encourage proper healing. Wearing an eye patch or protective eye shield can help keep out light and will protect it from any further damage.A scratched cornea isn’t typically a serious injury, but should be aided to correctly for a speedy recovery. For prevention, be sure to wear protective eyewear and practice general hygiene when switching out contacts. Eye protection is a priority of ours to help patients protect their improved vision. To learn more about protective eye-gear, contact us today or visit our website!
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Proper Eye Care
Your eyes are an important part of your health and daily life, so keeping them healthy should be a high priority. While you’re in your younger years, pay mind to the state of your vision and overall health of your eyes to discover problems early on. There are several factors that contribute to vision complications, so following specific guidelines can lower future risks. Here are a few different ways to properly care for your eyes to limit gradual damage.
Frequent Eye Exams
Even if you believe your vision is in perfect condition, getting a dilated eye exam is the only true way to be certain. During this exam, your physician will test the quality of your vision and check for diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, or any other abnormalities. During this exam, your doctor will place drops into your eye to dilate them. This will widen your pupil, allowing more light entry to be examined to determine the health of the eye.
Wear Protective EyeWear
The human eye is incredibly sensitive to sunlight, so make sure to wear sunglasses when performing activities outside. This will give your eyes a protective barrier between themselves and harsh ultra violet rays when exposed. Also wear protective eye shields or goggles when protecting your eyes post-operation. Protective eyewear is intended to keep your eyes from getting damaged, so making a habit of wearing it will prevent issues later down the road.
Rest Your Eyes
Whether it’s for entertainment or work purposes, screen time should be limited to preserve the health of your eye. Staring at a screen all day will eventually tire them due to lack of blinking and emission of blue light. Giving your eyes time to rest throughout the day will help reduce eyestrain.To keep your eyes healthy and your vision strong, you must establish proper eye care in all stages of life. Sight is a gift we simply cannot waste or take for granted. Eye protection is a priority of ours to help patients protect their improved vision. To learn more about protective eye-gear, contact us today!