Corneal Abrasion

Basics

Description

  • A tear or defect in the corneal epithelium
  • May be traumatic, spontaneous, due to foreign body, or contact lens wear

Etiology

  • Traumatic:
    • Human fingernail
    • Contact lens manipulation
    • Environmental elements: Branches, sand/stones
    • Chemical burn
    • Airbag deployment
    • Pepper spray
    • Makeup applicator
  • Foreign body related:
    • Wood
    • Glass
    • Metal
    • Rust
    • Plastic
    • Fiberglass
    • Vegetable matter
    • Eyelid foreign body
  • Contact lens related:
    • Overworn
    • Improperly fitting or cleaned
  • Flash burn
  • Spontaneous:
    • Usually previous traumatic corneal abrasion or an underlying defect in the corneal epithelium

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