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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the cornea — usually from a fingernail, contact lens, or foreign body. Painful but most heal completely in 24 to 72 hours.
What helps
Recover quickly — with the right care.
First
Antibiotic drops or ointment
Prevent infection while the cornea heals. Several options work; your eye doctor selects based on your situation (contact lens wearers get coverage for the bacteria that contacts attract).
Comfort
Pain control
Oral pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) help. Topical NSAID drops are sometimes prescribed short-term. Topical anesthetic drops feel great but are not used at home — they slow healing and can mask worsening.
Important
Skip the contacts
Don't wear contacts until the abrasion is fully healed and your eye doctor clears you. Wearing them on a healing cornea increases infection risk substantially.
If foreign body
Remove the cause
If something is still under the eyelid or embedded in the eye, your eye doctor removes it. Don't try to remove embedded objects yourself.
Same-day exam if
You have eye pain after a scratch or splash — especially if there's blurry vision, light sensitivity, or any visible foreign body. Contact lens wearers should treat any abrasion as urgent because the infection risk is much higher.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
How long until I can see again?+
Most simple abrasions heal in 24 to 72 hours. Your vision improves as the epithelium regrows. Large or central abrasions can take longer and may need more follow-up.
Do I need an eye patch?+
Modern care usually skips patching — studies show healing is similar without it, and patching can be uncomfortable. Some surgeons still use a soft bandage contact lens for larger abrasions.
Will I have a scar?+
Most abrasions heal with no visible scar because they involve only the surface epithelium. Deeper injuries that involve the stroma can leave subtle scarring.
Why does it keep hurting weeks later?+
Some abrasions develop recurrent erosion — the epithelium doesn't adhere well after healing and can come off again with morning eye opening. There are specific treatments (lubricating ointments at bedtime, hypertonic saline drops, sometimes laser) that prevent recurrence.
Can I prevent another one?+
Many are unavoidable, but safety glasses for yard work, proper contact lens hygiene, and being careful with makeup applicators reduce risk considerably.