Your Care Instructions

The cornea is the clear surface that covers the front of the eye. When a speck of dirt, a wood chip, an insect, or another object flies into your eye, it can cause a painful scratch on the cornea. Wearing contact lenses too long or rubbing your eyes can also scratch the cornea. Small scratches usually heal in a day or two. Deeper scratches may take longer.

If you have had a foreign object removed from your eye or you have a corneal scratch, you will need to watch for infection and vision problems while your eye heals.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• The doctor probably used a medicine during your exam to numb your eye. When it wears off in 30 to 60 minutes, your eye pain may come back. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• Do not rub your injured eye. Rubbing can make it worse.
• Use the prescribed eyedrops or ointment as directed. Be sure the dropper or bottle tip is clean. To put in eyedrops or ointment:
  • Tilt your head back, and pull your lower eyelid down with one finger.
  • Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
  • Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.
  • Do not touch the ointment or dropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.
• Do not use your contact lens in your hurt eye until your doctor says you can. Also, do not wear eye makeup until your eye has healed.
• Do not drive if you have blurred vision.
• Bright light may hurt. Sunglasses can help.
• To prevent eye injuries in the future, wear safety glasses or goggles when you work with machines or tools, mow the lawn, or ride a bike or motorcycle.