Going home after your visit
Corneal abrasion — looking after a scratched eye
How to care for your eye after a scratch on its surface, and the warning signs to watch for.
You have a corneal abrasion — a scratch on the clear front surface of the eye. It is painful, and your eye may water and dislike bright light. The good news is that these scratches usually heal within 24–48 hours.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Go back to A&E or an eye casualty if any of these happen
A scratched eye should be getting better, not worse. Get it checked the same day if:
- The pain, redness or watering gets worse after 24–48 hours
- Your vision is getting worse or staying blurred
- You notice increasing sensitivity to bright light
- A white or cloudy spot appears on the eye
- There is pus or thick discharge from the eye
- It still feels like something is stuck in your eye
- The injury was caused by metal, grinding or a fast-moving particle
- Your eye was splashed by a chemical
CALL 999 If a chemical splashed your eye, rinse it straight away with plenty of clean water and get seen urgently.
Caring for your eye
- Use the eye drops or ointment exactly as you were given.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if you can take them.
- Do not rub your eye — this can make the scratch worse.
- Do not wear contact lenses until the eye is fully healed and you are told it is safe.
- Wear sunglasses if bright light hurts your eye.
- Do not drive while your vision is blurred or you have a pad on the eye.
What is normal
As the surface heals, it is normal to have some of these for a day or two:
A gritty feelingWateringMild blurringDislike of bright lightA red eye
This should ease as the surface heals over 24–48 hours.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above