Corneal Abrasions and Ulcers

Corneal abrasions are very common and the most common consult that we get from the ER. Superficial epithelial defects can occur after trauma, infection, or from exposure. The cornea contains more nerve endings per area than anywhere else in the body, so scratches here are painful, and patients will often have photophobia (pain with bright lights) with the sensation that “something is in the eye.” Fortunately, with aggressive lubrication, the superficial epithelial layer heals quickly, literally within a day or two, and the patient feels better. We’ll often treat the eye with empiric erythromycin until the epithelium reforms.FOR MORE