Eye Care: 3 Tips To Prevent An Infection From A Corneal Abrasion

You wake up and find that one of your eyes is in absolute pain, is extremely sensitive to light, and is prone to blurry vision. Chances are that the symptoms are caused by a corneal abrasion, which is essentially a scratch or damage to the cornea of your eye. To determine whether or not the issue is indeed caused by a corneal abrasion, a doctor or an ophthalmologist will apply a wetted fluorescein strip to the inside lid or the white of your eye. The fluorescein will basically get absorbed by damaged tissues, which will then glow bright green in black light. A corneal abrasion is susceptible to infections. This article will look at 3 aftercare tips you should put into action in order to prevent an infection from developing.

Avoid Wearing Contact Lenses

There's a good chance that the damage or scratch is caused by your fingers if you frequently wear contact lenses. You might have accidentally dragged your fingernails over your cornea or you might have rubbed your fingers on your cornea when there was an abrasive particle on there. To prevent an infection from happening, you should avoid wearing contact lenses until your eyes have fully healed. Your fingers are teeming with bacteria, and so may your contact lenses if you haven't cleaned them properly.

If your vision isn't too poor, you'll probably get by without wearing contact lenses, or even eye glasses, until your cornea has healed. Depending on how severe the damage to your cornea might be, your physician might recommend that you wear bandage contact lenses. These contact lenses can help prevent infections.

Use Antibiotic Eye Drops

A de-epithelialized cornea is much more susceptible to infections than an intact cornea. An injured cornea is not only vulnerable to foreign pathogens in the environment, but also to bacteria that are in the natural flora. There are bacteria on your cornea even when they are intact. Some of these bacteria can cause infections; however, they are unable to cross the epithelial barrier. When your cornea is scratched, this barrier is breached. Due to this reason, many ophthalmologists and doctors will usually prescribe some type of antibiotics for the wound. The antibiotics might either come in the form of an ointment or eye drops, and the antibiotics should be continued until the wounded eye has completely healed.

There are many different types of antibiotics that are commonly recommended for preventing infections from a corneal abrasion. Among all of the different types of antibiotics that are available, fluoroquinolones tend to be most popular, as they provide broad-spectrum coverage and low toxicity. In addition, not many bacteria are resistant to this antibiotic.

Wear Sunglasses If Possible and Avoid Dirty and Dusty Environments

Keep away from dirty or dusty areas that are filled with bacteria and particulates that could cause an infection. Most doctors and ophthalmologists do not recommend covering or patching up the wounded eye. Instead, they normally recommend that you let the eye breathe in order to quicken the recovery time. Still, you should try to limit the amount of bacteria, dirt, and dust that might come into contact with your cornea. Protective eyewear, like sunglasses, can act as a barrier. You should also avoid dirty and dusty environments.

Avoid doing exercises, going to the gym, swimming, or even going to a sauna when you have a corneal abrasion. Give the wounded eye plenty of air and time to rest instead.

Conclusion

The epithelial cells on your cornea actually protect your eye from quite a lot of bacteria and pathogens. When the barrier is breached and damaged, your eyes are much more susceptible to infections. Make an effort to protect your cornea and your eyes in order to protect the health and condition of your eyes. An infection can potentially cause loss of vision and other problems. For more information, contact a location like Absolute Vision Care.


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