scratched eye

[thepuddingchef]

Has anyone scratched their eye and how long did it take to get back to normal?
I had mine scratched a year ago nearly accross the middle and I still get pain now. I have seen a consultant 6 months ago and he seemed dismissive of the pain I get and said it takes time...but this long??? Not sure whether I should go back to docs or am I wasting their time and I should just be patient.

You poor thin! Eye pain can be very difficult to live with.
If it is a year ago I would think you need to go back.
It depends on the type of injury, but a simple scratch of the cornea, affecting only the outer layers and without infection, should heal quickly (days). However sometimes - particularly if the scratch is caused by a biological item (babies finger nail, twig or leaf) there can be a flaw in the way the new healed cells 'stick' down, leaving that patch vunerable to repeated pulling off during a blink.- A persistant injury.
There are things that can be done to get things back on track. If the pain (severe pain + watering+ light sensitivity that lasts several hours)occurs on waking and first opening the eyes, a simple eye ointment (eg lacrilube) before sleep may lubricate enough to stop the lid pulling at the vernerable patch - so in time it can settle and heal properly. Sometimes a special type of soft 'bandage' contact lens is used -fitted by the hospital to protect the area (and releive pain)whilst it heals.
What sort of pain are you experiencing? Was your eyelid damaged at all? Must rush off will look back tonight.

Puddingchef - My DS scratched his eye, a couple of years ago. He still gets pain, usually he says a severe pain when he wakes up, which passes but is unpleasant while it lasts. He was told it was nerve damage, which can take quite a long time to repair.
I would go back to your GP, he shouldn't be dismissing your pain. I'm not sure how much can be done, but knowing what to expect, and what's causing it can be useful.

meant to say, my DS reckons his is very slowly improving.

My newborn dd scratched my eye with her tiny sharp fingernail when I was feeding her 15 years ago. My eye immediately closed shut and water came pouring out for 5-10 mins, I was in agony. It was very slow to heal, it was still sore up to a year after it happened. It healed eventually but for a couple of years after it happened if I rubbed my eye I would still feel a twinge of pain. The eye must take forever to heal.

thanks for your replies, it sounds like what you describe magso, it was actually a cheese straw (the pastry kind) which was the offending item. It does hurt in the morning and if I rub my eye. I was prescribed eye ointment, but I know you can get it over the counter, so i'll go and get some.
The pain is a ripping sharp pain when I open my eye, which as KurriKurri's ds says passes after ten mins or so and is just sore for an hour or so, then ok unless I rub it or get something in it which is agony.

KurriKurri a couple of years ago! blimey.
It looks like I just need time then.

Yes sounds like a persistent injury (called a persistent corneal erosion or basement membrane defect). If a simple lubricating ointment does not help, you may need to go back to the ophthalmolgist.
Cheese straws can be hazardous!! Hope it settles at last.
(Apologies for dreadful spelling - was rushing)

You might need the corneal abrasion debriding if there's still pain present. Do you have an eye hospital in your area? If you do then go to see them.

atomicsnowflake that sounds a bit painful in itself!

Agree re lacrilube. I would put it in every night for 8 weeks. If the pain persists after that I would seek a referral to the eye hospital.