Scratched my cornea today

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
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So this morning, I removed a twistie tie from an AC adaptor as I was preparing to plug in something new I bought. I put the twistie tie in my mouth for a second while I fiddled with the AC adaptor. Well, the damm thing flipped around while I was holding it with my teeth, and one end caught me squarely in the eye. Hurt like a mofo, but I had to be at work in 20 minutes, so I toughed it out and drove to work, thinking it was just like when someone pokes you in the eye; eventually the pain goes away.

Three hours laters at work, it's still burning like hell and my eye is watering controllably. I get to my primary doctor, and they do that test where they put dye in your eye that can detect scratches, and he tells me...yep, you scratched it. In fact, it's so big of a scratch I don't feel comfortable treating you! :Q

So I get referred to a specialist, and the technician takes a look and says, "wow, that's the biggest scratch I've seen in a while!". :( Thanks doc. :frown:

Turns out it's superficial, didn't penetrate beyond the first layer of the cornea, but it scratched the cornea all the way from the top to the bottom, and then beyond that further down. So I get to wear a pirate eyepatch, take tylenol 3, and hope that it gets better in 48 hours. :(

They says it's one of the more painful things you can do to yourself.....they are right!

 

Balt

Lifer
Mar 12, 2000
12,673
482
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Yeah, they clearly need a warning label that tells you not to put them in your mouth and then let them rotate. ;)
 

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
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:camera:s would be cool, if you can manage to get any or if you can see the scratch.
 

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
13,126
3
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Originally posted by: zerocool1
you have any swelling?

not sure how swelling is defined in an eye, but the blood vessels were so inflamed it felt like I have a gazillinos eyelashes stuck in my eye. Then on top of that, I have to wear a contact lens bandage. Didn't even know that existed, heh.

Oh well. Another story to tell of my stupidity.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,372
1,881
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I did that once when I was about 5 and again when I was about 15. It's been 11 years since the last time I scratched my cornea, and I NEVER want to feel that pain again. I have "squinty eyes" and I think that's because subconsiously, I keep my eyes from opening up 100% of the way to protect them.

I hope you recover quickly.

 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
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Your thread really should have been "quick, what's a cool story to tell women about my eye patch".

You gotta take advantage of the situation ;)
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
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Luckily the cornea replaces itself very rapidly, the biggest fear is infection. Did he give you any drops? Given a bit of waxing and waining of pain the overall level of discomfort should decrease. If you should notice an increase get it looked at right away. How many days does he want you to wear the patch? Patches for trauma are contraversal but if he's an opthomologist I'd defer to his judgment. (Have seen a few eyes that went really bad in 24 hours under patches)
 

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
13,126
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Yeah, I've got drops for infection. 4x/day.

He didn't recommend the patch, actually. I bought it myself because the eye was sensitive to light, and I found that while watching TV or typing on the computer, having it try and follow moving objects was not comfortable.
 

mattpegher

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2006
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Originally posted by: Lucky
Yeah, I've got drops for infection. 4x/day.

He didn't recommend the patch, actually. I bought it myself because the eye was sensitive to light, and I found that while watching TV or typing on the computer, having it try and follow moving objects was not comfortable.

Ok so each time you put in the drops you have to remove the patch and can watch for signs of infection, ie increasing redness, pus, swelling. Do not wear the patch for more than 8 hours consecutively without checking the eye.