On Friday night I spent a delightful evening with friends. We chowed down on tacos, drank the tastiest wine, and laughed the night away. When I got back to my apartment, I curled up on the couch to watch some late night TV and immediately fell asleep.
It must’ve been a deep and relaxing sleep because I didn’t wake up until early the next morning. When I opened my eyes, they were dry and scratchy. It’s never a good idea to sleep with contacts in. I went to the bathroom to remove and clean my contacts.
All of a sudden, ouch!
There seemed to be something sharp and scratchy in my right eye. I rinsed my eye with water. I tried to cry it out. I sat quietly with my eyes closed. This uncomfortable feeling lasted all day and my evening, my eye was nearly swollen shut. I decided to get a good night’s sleep and see if I simply needed more rest.
By 8:30 am on Sunday morning, I was at the emergency room at Mass Eye and Ear.
My eye was numbed, dyed, tested, poked, and prodded. The diagnosis? Scratched cornea.
I spent all day on Sunday sitting on the couch with my eyes closed. I applied the prescribed antibiotic eye gel every 4 hours. I tried not to whine or complain. I stayed away from the TV and the computer because reading would’ve put too much of s strain on my injured eye.
I’m not allowed to wear contacts for at least 2 weeks. And I’ve learned that no matter how lazy and comfy I’m feeling, I need to remove my contacts before watching late night TV.
Here’s some info about caring for a Corneal Abrasion:
- Visit an eye doctor for a proper diagnosis: antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed to ease the pain and eye spasms but will cause temporary blurred vision
- If it’s a minor irritation, try washing your eye with clean tap water
- Over-the-counter artificial tears can ease eye discomfort
- Over-the-counter pain medication may also be helpful
- Rest with your eyes closed to help the healing process
- Do not drive until your eye has healed and your vision is restored
COMMENTS
4 Comments
1. KIM
October 3rd, 2011 05:36 PM
OUCH….yea best not to sleep with your contacts in.
2. Carol
October 3rd, 2011 07:24 PM
This doesn’t sound like fun, boo hoo!
3. Elaine
October 6th, 2011 11:53 AM
I did the same thing last year! WOW is it painful. Even though the doc said two weeks, I couldnt wear my contacts for a month and my eye has been extra dry ever since. Hope you have a full and speedy recovery!
4. holly
October 9th, 2011 07:20 PM
Yikes! Eye issues are always frightening. I am just starting to wear contacts again (and still not regularly) after months of dealing with cornea abrasions, and you can bet I’m being extra careful! Hope it heals quickly!