Skip to main content
Home » What's New » What to Do if You Scratch Your Eye

What to Do if You Scratch Your Eye

Urgent Eye Care For Scratched Eyes In Wayne and Randolph

Scratching your eye—medically known as a corneal abrasion—might sound minor, but if you’ve ever had one, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. It’s that sharp, nagging pain that feels impossible to ignore. Whether it’s from a stray eyelash, a poke during a pick-up basketball game, or a speck of dust caught under your lid, these injuries happen more often than you’d think.

At Advanced Eye Care Center, we’ve seen it all. And more importantly, we know exactly how to treat it—fast, carefully, and with your long-term eye health in mind.

How Do You Know If You’ve Scratched Your Eye?

Sometimes, it’s obvious. Other times, the symptoms creep up slowly, and people mistake them for dry eye or allergies. So how can you tell?

Watch for signs like:

  • Sudden, sharp pain in one eye

  • Redness or an irritated, bloodshot look

  • A feeling like there’s something stuck in your eye that won’t go away

  • Light sensitivity that makes it hard to keep your eye open

  • Blurry vision or difficulty focusing

  • Excessive tearing (your eye trying to flush the problem out)

If you’re nodding your head at more than one of these, chances are, your cornea’s been scratched.

Okay, So You Think You Have A Scratched Eye—Now What?

Here’s the thing: a lot of people make it worse before they make it better. So before you do anything else...

  • Don’t rub it. We know—it’s so tempting. But rubbing can deepen the scratch or push in more debris.

  • Rinse it gently. Use clean water or even better sterile saline to flush out any particles.

  • Blink. A lot. Your natural tears can help dislodge small irritants.

  • Keep your eyes closed when possible. Even a few minutes of rest can calm inflammation.

And please give us a call, your eye deserves professional attention.

Scratches to The Eye =Happen More Than You’d Expect

This might surprise you:

  • Nearly 2.4 million eye injuries happen each year in the U.S.

  • And here’s the kicker: nearly 90% of eye injuries could be prevented with proper protection like safety glasses.

Makes that pair of protective goggles in the garage seem a little more appealing, right?

When You Really Should See an Eye Doctor

Some scratches are minor and heal on their own—but others need a professional touch.

You should reach out to get specific guidance for your situation. here are some examples of situations where you should definitely see an eye doctor:

  • The pain sticks around for more than a few hours

  • Your vision doesn’t clear up, even after rinsing and time passing

  • You notice discharge, swelling, or worsening discomfort

  • You wear contact lenses (scratches plus lenses can be a risky mix)

At Advanced Eye Care Center, we don’t just treat the surface—we look for underlying issues and make sure healing happens the right way.

What Treatment Might Look Like

Depending on the severity, here’s how we typically treat corneal abrasions:

  • Antibiotic eye drops – to prevent infection, even if the scratch seems minor

  • Protective eye patches or special bandage contact lenses – to cushion and shield the eye

  • Lubricating drops or ointments – for comfort and faster healing

  • Follow-up care – to make sure everything’s healing cleanly and correctly

Your vision is too important to leave to chance, and we’re here to make sure you’re seeing clearly and comfortably again as soon as possible.

Can You Prevent A Scratched Eye From Happening Again?

Absolutely. Here are a few things we wish more people did:

  • Wear safety eyewear when doing anything risky—yes, even when trimming the hedges or using cleaning sprays.

  • Handle contact lenses with care. Wash your hands, follow proper storage, and don’t overwear them.

  • Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially if they’re dry, itchy, or irritated.

  • Treat dry eye: Dry eye left untreated can lead to more severe symptoms such as corneal abrasions.
  • Come in for regular eye exams so we can catch and prevent small problems before they become big ones.

Your Vision Matters to Us

Whether you’re dealing with a scratched cornea or just want to make sure your eyes are in top shape, the team at Advanced Eye Care Center is here with the care and tools you need. With locations in Wayne and Randolph, we make it easy to get fast, personalized treatment when you need it most.

So if your eye’s bothering you—don't wait. Give us a call. We’re ready to help your eyes feel better and keep them healthy for the long run.