Corneal Abrasions | Symptoms & Causes
In-Depth
What is a corneal abrasion?
A corneal abrasion is a scratch or injury to the cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. This is a very common occurrence in children.
What causes a corneal abrasion?
There are many things that can cause an abrasion to the cornea. The more common causes include:
- foreign bodies in the eye (such as dirt, pebbles or insects)
- a scratch from a toy or fingernail
- contact lenses in older children
When these objects have contact with the surface of the eye, a small abrasion can occur.
What are the symptoms of a corneal abrasion?
Each child may experience symptoms differently, but the most common symptoms of a corneal abrasion are:
- pain in the affected eye
- tearing in the affected eye
- pain when the child looks at a light
- excessive blinking in the affected eye
- a tendency to try and hold the affected eye shut, particularly in younger children
Because the symptoms of a corneal abrasion may resemble other eye conditions or medical problems, you should always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
