Corneal abrasion

A scratch on the surface of the eye that can cause pain, redness, and sensitivity to light.

Author: Jo Lindley
Published: June 23, 2025
Last reviewed by: Leightons Clinical Team
Last reviewed: January 16, 2026

A corneal abrasion, also known as Scratched Eye, happens when the clear window at the front of your eye becomes scratched. It is one of the most common types of eye injuries and they generally happen as a result of trauma to the cornea such as a scratch with a fingernail, walking into something, or getting grit in your eye. Inserting and removing contact lenses can also sometimes cause a corneal abrasion. This condition is extremely painful.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a scratched eye include:

  • Eye pain, especially when opening or closing
  • Teary or watery eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Red eyes
  • Feeling like you have sand or grit in your eye
  • Sensitivity to light

Causes

There are many ways you can get a scratched eye – anything that touches the surface of your eye can cause an injury. Your cornea could be scratched by a hairbrush, a fingernail, or tree branch. Or it could be scratched by debris like dust in your eye or if a small foreign body becomes lodged under your eyelid.

Close up of corneal abrasion during eye examination, in dark room.

The most common causes of a corneal abrasion include:

  • Sand, dust, or pieces of plant in your eye.
  • Small pieces of wood or metal – particularly if you work with heavy machinery.
  • Makeup, brushes, or applicators.
  • Your fingernails.
  • Misuse of contact lenses

Risk factors

Some risk factors will mean you are more prone to corneal abrasions than others. These can include situations relating to your occupation or hobbies, or involve other existing conditions.

Risk factors for corneal abrasions include:

  • Working near heavy machinery such as saw mills, grinding, or sanding machines.
  • Landscaping without safety goggles.
  • Grilling or BBQing without safety goggles.
  • Participating in sports or activities that might cause eye injuries.
  • Wearing contact lenses.
  • Having dry eyes.
  • Rubbing your eyes repeatedly or rubbing them with too much force.

Diagnosis

Your optometrist will be able to diagnose a corneal abrasion by performing an emergency eye care exam. This will include a slit lamp test that will allow them to see all of your eye and they may look underneath your eyelids if they suspect you have something lodged beneath them.

They may also give you eye drops that contain a yellow dye, called fluorescein, which settles in any abrasions on the surface of your eye and highlights damaged areas.

Treatment

The majority of the time, while a corneal abrasion is painful, they will heal themselves between a few days and 3 months. But you may be prescribed some antibiotics, eye drops, or ointment to help heal the abrasion and treat any related symptoms. Ongoing lubricating drops may be recommended if the scratch is more severe to prevent the delicate new tissues from being removed as they grow – a condition called recurrent erosion.

Because of the discomfort, you may be tempted to tape or patch your eye closed but you should avoid doing this while your eye heals and leave it uncovered.

In the case of metal filings in the eye, extra care needs to be taken to ensure none remains in the eye which can result in permanent scarring.

Prevention

A Man Wearing Eye Protection.

Despite being a common issue, corneal abrasion is very easily prevented. Take safety precautions when working with machinery like grinders or sawmills – make sure the guards are in place and wear eye protection. Additionally, always wear eye protection if you’re working in a dusty environment or with vegetation to prevent debris from getting in your eye. And never touch your eyes after working with dusty, gritty, sandy, or dirty things.

If you get something in your eye:

  • Avoid rubbing it to prevent further damage
  • Blink several times to try and clear it
  • If it persists, use saline solution or a specially designed eye bath to rinse your eye – do not use regular tap water to rinse your eye as it is not sterile

If these things don’t help, see your optometrist as soon as possible.

  • If you get something in your eye, avoid making the injury worse:
  • Don't try to remove an object that is embedded in your eye or makes your eye difficult to close.
  • Don't rub your eye after an injury.
  • Don't touch your eye with cotton swabs, tweezers or other instruments.
  • If you use contact lenses, don't wear them while your eye is healing.

Takeaway

Corneal abrasions, also known as scratched eye, are some of the most common eye injuries. They are very painful but are easily preventable with the right precautions. Your optometrist can diagnose a corneal abrasion and they usually clear up on their own, but more severe cases may need to be treated using eye drops, ointments, or antibiotics.

FAQs

It depends on the trauma or damage caused. They can range from mild to more severe but will often heal themselves in a few days. Despite not typically being that serious, it’s important to always get your eye checked by an optometrist.

If your child or baby scratches their eye, it’s important to have it checked out by a doctor or optometrist as soon as possible. Even though they're rarely serious, corneal abrasions should always be checked out so they can rule out more serious damage.

Corneal abrasions are extremely painful because the cornea is supplied by lots of nerve endings.

Most corneal abrasions are minor and your eye will begin to feel better in 24 to 48 hours thanks to the speed at which those particular cells regenerate. However, if your eye isn;t feeling better after 24 hours, it could be due to a larger scrape and you should contact your optometrist for an emergency eye exam.

It can take up to 3 months for your eye to fully heal and vision to go back to normal after a corneal abrasion as your eye heals itself and reproduces the cells it needs. If you are still struggling to see normally after a corneal abrasion, make sure to contact your optometrist.

You can still shower as normal with corneal abrasions.

You may also like

Visual stress
Visual stress
If you find reading uncomfortable, notice words moving on the page, or feel strain when looking at patterns or screens, you may be experiencing visual stress. Visual stress is a common but often overlooked condition that can affect how comfortable your vision feels, particularly when reading or focusing for longer periods. With the right support, it can often be managed effectively, helping you feel more relaxed and confident in your day-to-day vision. If your symptoms are linked to light or contrast, you may also find it helpful to explore how tinted lenses can improve visual comfort and clarity.   What is visual stress? Visual stress, sometimes referred to as Meares-Irlen syndrome, affects how the brain processes visual information. It is not a problem with your eyesight itself, but rather how your eyes and brain work together when looking at text, patterns or bright environments. People with visual stress often find that certain visual tasks feel overwhelming or uncomfortable, even if their vision has been tested and appears normal.   Common symptoms of visual stress Visual stress can present in different ways, and symptoms may vary from person to person. You may notice: Words appearing to move, blur or distort on the page Difficulty tracking lines of text when reading Sensitivity to bright light or glare Headaches or eye strain when reading or using screens Letters or patterns appearing to flicker or shimmer Reduced concentration when reading for longer periods These symptoms can make everyday tasks feel more tiring, particularly in environments with bright lighting or high contrast.   What causes visual stress? The exact cause of visual stress is not always clear, but it is linked to how the brain processes visual patterns and contrast. High contrast patterns, such as black text on a white page, can sometimes feel overwhelming for the visual system. This can lead to discomfort, distortion or fatigue when reading or focusing for extended periods. Visual stress is often noticed in both children and adults, particularly when reading feels difficult or tiring. It is sometimes associated with conditions such as dyslexia, although the two are not the same.   Visual stress vs light sensitivity: what’s the difference? Visual stress and light sensitivity can feel similar, but they are not the same. Light sensitivity (photophobia) is typically linked to brightness and discomfort from light itself Visual stress is more closely related to patterns, contrast and how visual information is processed Some people experience both, which is why a thorough assessment is important to understand what is affecting your vision.   Can tinted lenses help with visual stress? For many people, tinted lenses can make a noticeable difference to visual comfort. Carefully selected colours can help reduce the intensity of contrast and visual patterns, allowing your eyes to feel more relaxed when reading or using screens. This can make text appear more stable and easier to follow. The effect of colour is highly individual, which is why it is important to find the right tint for you rather than choosing a general option. Colour selection is typically guided through a visual stress assessment*. During an appointment, you may be shown a range of coloured overlays or lenses and asked to read or focus on text, helping you experience which tones feel most comfortable. Explore the different colours and types of tinted lenses to understand how each option works.   What is a visual stress test? At Leightons, there are two main types of visual stress assessment, designed to understand how your eyes respond to colour and contrast. Coloured overlay assessment: Different coloured overlays are placed over text to identify which makes reading feel more comfortable. Any improvement is measured using a standardised reading test. If effective, you may get specialised, custom-tinted lenses to use for reading and school/work. Colorimetry: A more advanced assessment using a specialist device to identify the precise tint or colour combination needed to reduce visual stress. This allows for the prescription of precision-tinted lenses tailored to your individual visual response. Before considering a visual stress assessment, it is important to have a comprehensive eye examination. This allows us to check your overall eye health and ensure your symptoms are not being caused by something else, such as: A prescription change Eye strain Another underlying eye condition If appropriate, we can then guide you through a visual stress assessment to explore whether coloured lenses may help improve your comfort and clarity.   Managing visual stress in everyday life There are several ways to help reduce the impact of visual stress in your daily routine: Use softer, more consistent lighting Reduce glare from screens Take regular breaks when reading or working Adjust screen settings or use coloured backgrounds For many people, the most effective support comes from personalised solutions such as coloured overlays or tinted lenses tailored to your visual needs. If your symptoms are linked to screen use, it may also help to compare blue light vs tinted lenses to understand which option is most suitable.   When should you seek advice? If reading feels uncomfortable, or if symptoms are affecting your concentration or confidence, it is worth having your eyes assessed. The best place to start is with a full eye examination. This allows us to understand your vision in detail and rule out any underlying causes. From there, we can guide you towards the most appropriate support, including whether tinted lenses or a colourimetry assessment may be beneficial. Book your eye test today.   * Please note that not all Leightons practices offer coloured overlay assessments or colourimetry. Please contact your local branch to confirm availability.
Learn more
Right Arrow
Navigation Previous
Navigation Next