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Scratched eye (corneal abrasion)

A scratched eye can be very uncomfortable. Learn about causes, diagnosis and eye scratch treatment.

What is a corneal abrasion (scratched eye)?

In this guide, you'll learn more about the symptoms of a corneal abrasion and what might cause it. We'll also look at diagnosis, corneal abrasion treatment, and how to protect yourself from this kind of injury.

Understanding corneal abrasions 

A corneal abrasion is the medical name for a scratch on the front surface of your eye. The cornea is the clear, protective layer that covers the front of the eye. A scratch to this area can be very painful, often leads to red eye, and may make your eye extra sensitive to light. 
 
Corneal abrasions can happen in all sorts of ways – from getting poked in the eye, to something flying into it, or even rubbing your eyes too hard. While they’re uncomfortable, most scratches are minor and clear up in a couple of days. If the injury is more serious, your optometrist can guide you through the right treatment to help it heal properly. 

What the experts say about corneal abrasion

A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of your eye. It can feel gritty or painful, like there’s something stuck in your eye. Our optometrists can check for damage using a special dye and light. Most scratches heal quickly with the right care – often just lubricating drops and a short break from contact lenses. 

Symptoms of corneal abrasion (eye scratch) 

Have you noticed one of your eyes hurts, or feels uncomfortable? It could be a corneal abrasion. Depending on how the eyeball scratch happened, and how large the scrape is, you could experience some of the following kinds of symptoms. 
 
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to get your eyes checked. Although corneal abrasions often clear up by themselves, they can get infected if not treated. So, visit an optometrist as soon as you can.

Eye pain

Particularly when opening or closing the injured eye (it might be worse in the morning when you wake up).

Learn more about eye pain

Watery eyes

You might notice your eyes are much more watery or teary than usual.

Learn more about watery eyes

Red or bloodshot eyes

This is when the whites of your eyes appear pink with blood vessels more visible than usual.

Learn more about red or bloodshot eyes

Blurry vision

Which makes things appear distorted or unclear.

Learn more about blurry vision

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What can cause a scratched eye?

Lots of things can lead to a scratched eye, but there are some causes that optometrists see more often than others. These include accidentally poking your eye with a finger or nail, or getting something sharp like grit, sand or dust in your eye. Contact lens wearers sometimes develop scratches if they leave daily lenses in overnight, or if lenses aren’t cleaned properly. Rubbing your eyes too hard – especially if there’s something already in them – can also cause damage. 
 
Other common causes include scratching your eye while putting on makeup, dry eye syndrome (when your eyes don’t make enough tears), and getting flicked in the eye by a leaf or twig outdoors. Sports like martial arts, squash or tennis can also pose a risk, especially if something hits the eye at speed. Less common but possible causes include exposure to UV light (such as in tanning salons or very bright sun) and chemical splashes, either in the workplace or from household cleaning products.

Learn more about dry eye syndrome

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Normal eye vs scratched eye

A corneal abrasion isn’t usually visible to the naked eye, but an optometrist can spot it by using a special orange dye called fluorescein and examining the eye with a slit lamp microscope. 

Who is more likely to get a corneal abrasion? 

Anyone can get a scratched cornea, but it tends to affect some people more than others. It’s most common in working‑age men, likely due to increased exposure to activities or environments that carry a higher risk of eye injury. 
 
It’s also more likely in contact lens wearers, people with diabetes, and those who’ve previously had damage to the cornea from injury or certain eye conditions. 
 
Learn more about diabetic retinopathy

Diagnosing corneal abrasion 

Our optometrists see people with corneal abrasions almost every week. After asking about your symptoms, they’ll use a couple of different methods to check what’s going on. One common method is a slit‑lamp exam. This is a special microscope that lets the optometrist look closely at the surface of your eye. 
 
If a slit lamp isn’t available – for example, if you go straight to the ED – the doctor might use a fluorescent dye instead. A few drops are placed in the affected eye, and a blue light is used to highlight the scratch. This method is safe and helps make the abrasion easier to see. 

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Eye scratch treatment 

Treatment for a corneal abrasion depends on how it happened and how severe your symptoms are. Small scratches often heal on their own in a couple of days. Your optometrist might suggest rinsing the eye, resting it, taking over‑the‑counter pain relief and avoiding bright lights to help it recover. 
 
If the scratch is more serious, you may need extra support. This could include antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection and lubricating ointment to protect the eye and ease discomfort. You can also help things along by wearing sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity, using a cold compress, and avoiding screens until your eye feels better. 

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When to go to hospital for a scratched eye

A scratched eye is usually minor, but there are times when you’ll need emergency care. Call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department if something is stuck in your eye (not just sitting on the surface), your eye is bleeding, the pain hasn’t eased after 24 hours or is getting worse, chemicals have gone into your eye, your vision changes suddenly (like seeing halos or things looking blurry), or if you feel sick, vomit, black out or feel dizzy. 

How long does a scratched eye take to heal?

Healing time depends on how big the scratch is. Smaller corneal abrasions usually heal in two to three days, while larger ones might take four to five days. If your eye is still sore after a few days’ rest, it’s best to book an appointment with an optometrist. 

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How to avoid corneal abrasions (scratched eye)

You can lower your risk of scratching your eye by taking a few simple steps. If you work somewhere with flying particles – like a building site, workshop or foundry – wearing protective goggles, glasses or a face shield is important. At home, safety glasses can help prevent injury while gardening or doing DIY jobs. 
 
Sport is another common cause of eye injuries. Wearing proper eye protection in activities like squash, tennis, basketball or martial arts can help keep your eyes safe. It’s also important to be careful with contact lenses – don’t sleep in them unless they’re designed for overnight use, and always follow the instructions for how long to wear them. 
 
Makeup can also lead to scratches if you’re not careful. Use products that are still in date, apply mascara gently, and avoid poking or pulling at your lashes. Taking care with your eyes day to day can help prevent problems later. 
 
Read our contact lenses guide

An eye care professional smiles while talking to two patients in an examination room with medical equipment and computer monitors.

Scratched eyes FAQs

Did you know?

AA Members are entitled to a free eye test (valued at $60), once every two years. Remember to present your AA Membership card in‑store.

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Written with care and checked for accuracy

https://images.ctfassets.net/uuaxywrybmpn/5kI37q4ENnAdlJWR3QZC9h/dfb90d6675a6491a0f2698de9ea420a8/Dabin_Kim.jpg

Dabin Kim

BOptom (Hons)TPA

Dabin graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry (Hons.) from the University of Auckland in 2014. She has diverse clinical experience, including roles at Specsavers and other stores across metro and regional areas in New Zealand, with FIFO involvement.

Currently, Dabin serves as a Clinical Performance Consultant in NZ. In this role, she optimises clinical care and business results for partners and optometrists, aiming for improved patient outcomes and operational excellence.

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