The cornea is the eye’s clean front window. A cut on the cornea is known as a corneal laceration. It is usually caused by a sharp object that flies into the eye and scratches the cornea. Something striking the eye with significant force, such as a metallic hand tool, can also cause it.
A corneal laceration cuts wholly or partially through the cornea, unlike a corneal abrasion. A full-thickness laceration can occur if the corneal laceration is deep enough. When a laceration cuts entirely through the cornea, a ruptured globe, or a tear into the eyeball itself occurs.
Symptoms of Corneal Laceration
Symptoms of a corneal laceration include:
● extreme discomfort
● tearing
● a light sensitivity
● vision that is blurry or dim
● blood in the eye
● feeling that something is in the eye
What Causes It?
A corneal laceration can occur due to any action in which things can fly into the eye at a high rate. The following activities are the most common causes of corneal laceration:
● chopping wood
● metal grinding
● mowing the lawn
● stone for cutting
If enough force is applied, contact with dust, dirt, sand, or even the edge of a piece of paper can tear the cornea. The majority of corneal lacerations can be avoided by wearing protective eyewear when participating in high-risk activities.
Diagnosis of Corneal Laceration
If you have any signs of corneal laceration, you should consult an ophthalmologist right away. To establish the degree of the injury, he or she will do a thorough eye examination. Your ophthalmologist will examine the wound to identify if it is a partial or full-thickness laceration.
Your ophthalmologist may use numbing drops in your eye to keep it open while examining your corneal laceration. He or she may also use fluorescein to dye the eyes. This test employs an orange dye (fluorescein) and a blue light to identify the corneal injury.
Treatment for Corneal Laceration
Surgery is typically performed to seal the cut in the eye and avoid infection. Surgical intervention can help:
● to keep the eye from getting any worse
● remove any foreign objects that may have remained in the eye
Severe lacerations may require multiple surgeries to correct, and irreversible eyesight loss is a possibility. Your eye may be patched to protect it after surgery. Your ophthalmologist may also prescribe medication for pain and to aid healing.
You may be at risk for problems such as retinal detachment, infection, and glaucoma if you have a corneal laceration. Following your urgent treatment, it is critical that you see your ophthalmologist for follow-up care.
