Treatment of corneal abrasions varies depending on the severity of injury. A physician can determine the extent of injury using a dye that identifies cells that are damaged or absent. Saline solution or warm water is used to flush any foreign object from the eye, and administration of antibiotic drops or ointment often follows. Reading and other activities requiring eye motion should be curtailed until the eye heals, and it is often helpful to avoid direct light or to wear sunglasses during this time. The use of an eye patch for 12-24 hours after removing the irritant is common, and helps immobilize the eye for ease of healing. Corneal abrasions usually heal quickly, within 24-48 hours after the wound occurs. If pain persists after 48 hours, temperature rises to or above 100ºC, or skin rash or nausea develops, follow-up with a physician is necessary. In cases where the abrasion is quite large, the eye should be re-examined every 2 days.As with corneal abrasions, treatment of hyphema varies with the extent of injury. Antibiotic drops, an eye patch, bed rest and a prohibition on reading and similar activities may all be employed to cure hyphema. In addition, maintaining a bed elevation of 40º to aid the draining of blood from the eye is recommended. It is important to note that hyphema does not necessarily cause permanent harm, but the eye must be closely monitored for related complications. One such complication is glaucoma, which results from increased fluid pressure within the eye, and can lead to loss of vision. Others include blood staining of the cornea, reoccurrence of bleeding, and damage to the optic nerve due to an increase in fluid pressure. Topical beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, isosorbide and mannitol are commonly used to maintain eye pressure at the appropriate level, and thus prevent many of these side effects.
