Corneal Abrasion?

[Widget123]

Hi, last night my dog caught me in the eye really hard with her claw. My vision went blurry and the pain was unbelievable (felt like I had a huge lump of grit in my eye I couldn’t get out). I called 111 who said to go to a&e, I did and they looked at my eye with a dye and said I had a couple of abrasions right in the middle of my eye and gave me eye drops and booked me in for a review at the eye clinic Tuesday.
I got home at 7am as we waited in a&e 7 hours to be seen, I’ve neen putting in my eye drops(paste) but today my eye lids now swollen up and my vision in that eye is so blurred I can’t make anything out.
The doc didn’t mention any swelling but just wanted to see if this is normal for this as there’s not much about it on the internet?
Definitely hasn’t been any improvement today but understandably it’s only been 24 hours.
This is literally the most painful thing and I’m feeling a bit helpless, look like I’ve been punched in the eye, really need my vision to come back as I don’t know how I’m going to get about next week and get the kids to school etc.
Anyone had any experiences with this? X ta X

[DialANumber]

Could it be a reaction to the ointment? It doesn't sound like your eyelid should be involved unless that too was injured.

Otoh, my corneal abrasion was more painful than any of my labours!

[Higginstone]

I've had corneal abrasion and my eyelid didn't swell up. It was very painful but no swelling. I would ask for advice. It's your sight. Sorry you have this.

[Widget123]

I’ve just come back from a&e and they think it’s the start of cellulitis so have put me on oral antibiotics now. She pulled me eyelid around a bit to check it was clean and I’m now back under the duvet in a lot of pain... can’t seem to look at lights or anything and feel like I have razor blades in my eyes!

[Katyy]

So sorry you have this it’s the most painful thing, I was only young when this happened, but I was in bed 3 days and barely ate and drank.I suffer from corneal ulcers now, caught from the cold sore virus, nothing to do with accidental abrasions, but similar pain, can’t function or stand the light.Your eye lid has probably swollen from the trauma in your eye, I know mine did.The good news is it’s usually short lived, you’ll feel better soon .Nobody understands unless it’s happened to them.Good luck.

[han01uk]

Sounds very typical of a corneal abrasion. I have had 3,plus now scar tissue that keeps opening it up when I have dry eyes/tired etc.

If you have had it checked at a and e and there is no debris left then keep it covered and stay in a dark place. Mine took 5 days before I could see again out of the eye. Swollen,and my god the pain was just hideous. Take pain relief but he warned,the doctor told me nothing really dulls the pain of a corneal abrasion. And DO NOT itch it! It will be itchy as it improves but resist the urge. Resign yourself to bed and wait for it to heal I'm afraid.

[han01uk]

Sounds very typical of a corneal abrasion. I have had 3,plus now scar tissue that keeps opening it up when I have dry eyes/tired etc.

If you have had it checked at a and e and there is no debris left then keep it covered and stay in a dark place. Mine took 5 days before I could see again out of the eye. Swollen,and my god the pain was just hideous. Take pain relief but he warned,the doctor told me nothing really dulls the pain of a corneal abrasion. And DO NOT itch it! It will be itchy as it improves but resist the urge. Resign yourself to bed and wait for it to heal I'm afraid.

[han01uk]

Sounds very typical of a corneal abrasion. I have had 3,plus now scar tissue that keeps opening it up when I have dry eyes/tired etc.

If you have had it checked at a and e and there is no debris left then keep it covered and stay in a dark place. Mine took 5 days before I could see again out of the eye. Swollen,and my god the pain was just hideous. Take pain relief but he warned,the doctor told me nothing really dulls the pain of a corneal abrasion. And DO NOT itch it! It will be itchy as it improves but resist the urge. Resign yourself to bed and wait for it to heal I'm afraid.

Plus...keep on with the ointment,it will act as a good lubricant,plus obviously help any possible infection. And use lubricating drops if it causes you irritation in the future.

The stinging and inability to look at ought is caused as your pupils try to adjust to light,so stay in a dark place or keep it covered.

[Widget123]

Thank you both, it’s been 4 days now and although the pains subsiding slightly there’s been no improvement to my vision in that eye, it’s SO blurry, I just want to know if that’s normal?! I’ve got too little ones and can’t drive etc so am starting to get really worried that there’s been no improvement... anyone else have really blurry vision that went on like this? Just need to know it’s gojng to heal and not something more serious going on 😩
I’m back to the eye clinic tomorrow late afternoon for follow up... it’s 2am and I keep expecting to wake up and be able to see again but still nothing so having a slight meltdown?!

[Widget123]

Ps. The swelling on my lids gone right down I expect from the co-amoxiclav and I’m applying the eye gel antibiotic 4-6 times a day

[han01uk]

Yes it's still normal I'm afraid. Glad the swelling etc is improving,sounds like it needs more time. It tough with kids etc I know.

[Widget123]

Thank you Han, how long does it generally take for your vision to return? Everything online says this should’ve fully healed 2-3 days it’s been 4 days now still no improvement, does this mean mines just deeper?

[foxatthewindow]

Where is your nearest eye casualty? I’d be popping in to them if it’s an option. Would probably need to be a big/regional hospital but might not be too far

[thebestever]

Hi OP, I had this after I hurt my eye taking a lens out. I went to my optician complaining of pain and extreme sensitivity to light, and after examining me, they send me by taxi straight to A&E.

The doctor in A&E who wasn't an eye specialist, told me that she couldn't really see any abrasions and gave me some over-the-counter antibiotics.

I was worried as there was no improvement, so I took myself to the eye specialist team (my nearest happened to be Moorfields who have an A&E dept). I was given antibiotic drops to be used every hour for four days, day and night. It was taken very seriously with several follow up appointments and as a result I have permanent scar tissue on my eye but I'm back wearing my lenses after four months.

I was told repeatedly how important it had been to get it treated immediately. The service at Moorfields (as an NHS patient) was absolutely wonderful and I can't praise them enough.

My point is, it sounds like your eye is in a worse state than mine was so please get a second opinion somewhere with an eye specialist (some A&Es have them but not all) ASAP.

[Widget123]

Thank you all, on my way to the hospital now managed to pull back my appointment x

[Widget123]

Update for any future readers who have this! Because the eye was red and blurry still they’ve done further tests and diagnosed uveitis which is inflammation of the eye, triggered by the trauma. Ive been putnon steroid drops which should clear it up now and sort out my eyesight. Thank you all for your help, fingers crossed things get on the mend now x

[han01uk]

Widget - hope things are improving for you now? Apparently claws and plants are the worst things to scratch your eyeball with (mine were a cordyline leaf and a hairbrush bristle) Asia leaves a jagged edge. Sounds like you've been unlucky. As said previously take care with dry eyes and use lubricating drops (viscotears work well) as mine still flares up years later