Wood shaving got into my eye

[liteglimmer]

I was with someone who was using a drill last Sunday. I was wearing glasses but not goggles. A wood shaving entered my left eye from the drilling. My eye feels uncomfortable like there's something in it. However, I had it checked out and there is nothing in the eye. It is a corneal abrasion. How long do corneal abrasions take to heal? Is there something I should do to help the healing process?

Thank you

[Marnie22]

Hi. I got this from Moorfields Eye Hospital website:

Abrasions are very painful because there are many nerves that supply the cornea. The pain gets better as your eye heals, but this can take between 24 and 48 hours. If the abrasion involves the central part of your cornea, your vision could also be temporarily affected. Apart from the pain, your eye might be watery, red and sensitive to light.

If your eye becomes increasingly red or painful after treatment or your sight becomes much more blurred, you should see an eye doctor again or contact the hospital.

Hope that helps and that your eye heals quickly.

[bridgeit]

I think Marnie's advice is spot on.

Did the hospital ophthalmologist not prescribe drops for your eye? Based on my experience as an eye patient, it's usual for them to prescribe a steroid and/or antibacterial drops regime for injured eyeballs, usually dexamethasone and chloramphenicol. Those alone should do the job of helping injured eyes to heal, along with keeping the eye scrupulously clean and not fiddling with it at all, especially without washing your hands first.

If you have not been prescribed eye drops and would like to try something to help healing, you could try Hycosan 'extra' which are preservative-free viscous drops that keep the eye hydrated during the day. Use as often as you like. Bathing the eye (use an eye 'bath') at night with fresh, cool, boiled water might also help soothe. Keep the eye lids clean by gently wiping them with a clean Q-tip dipped in fresh, warm, boiled water every morning, paying particular attention to the lower lids and keeping the tip away from the eyeball at all times. Regular lower lid hygiene will help keep the lubricant oil glands flowing and in good order. Clean away matter build up in the corner of your eyes and from your lashes.

Do not rub your eye.

At the first sign of problems as per Marnie's post, get in touch with the hospital immediately.

I hope this is helpful and that your eye heals soon.

[liteglimmer in reply to bridgeit]

Thanks again for your posts. I'm afraid to put any chemical drops in my eye. I had a problem after dilation drops were put into my eyes a few years ago. My eyes are very sensitive to chemicals. I like the idea of using warm or boiled water. I'll try those things first.

[Pairofboots in reply to liteglimmer]

Hi, this is nearly a week on, you may need some antibiotic eye drops. These are very different from, as you call them chemicals. Eye's are something not to wait and see with.