Scratches or damage to the cornea.

An important DD is herpes keratitis as this will require different Tx (antiviral)

There are some common causes:

• Contact lenses - may be an infection with pseudomonas
• Foreign bodies
• Fingernails
• Eyelashes
• Entropion (inward turning eyelid)

PC

• History of contact lenses or foreign body
• Painful red eye
• Foreign body sensation
• Watering eye
• Blurring vision
• Photophobia

Investigations

• A fluorescein stain is applied to the eye to diagnose a corneal abrasion. This is a yellow-orange colour. The stain collects in abrasions or ulcers, highlighting them.
• Slit lamp examination may be used in more significant abrasions.