Imagine a tiny scratch on the clear front window of your eye—that’s a corneal abrasion. It can happen in a flash, maybe from a stray piece of dust or a careless fingernail. Suddenly, your eye feels gritty, stings terribly, and tears stream down your face. It’s not just uncomfortable; it’s painful and scary when your vision is affected.
Choosing the right eye drops to manage this scratch can feel like navigating a minefield. Should you use lubricating drops, antibiotic drops, or something else entirely? The confusion over ingredients and proper usage only adds to the stress when you just want relief fast. Picking the wrong product can delay healing or even cause more irritation.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain which types of eye drops truly help heal a corneal abrasion and which ones you should avoid. By the end of this post, you will feel confident knowing exactly what to ask for and how to care for your eye so it heals quickly and safely.
Top Eye Drops For Corneal Abrasion Recommendations
- Muro 128 Sterile Ophthalmic 5% Solution provides a sterile eye wash solution
- Directions: to 2 drops in affected eye(s) every 3 to 4 hours, or as directed by your doctor. Read enclosed insert for complete product information
- Uses: Temporary relief of corneal edema
- For over 150 years, Bausch + Lomb has focused on innovation & quality in our eye care products, from contact lenses & solutions to eye drops, ointments, eye vitamins & more
- Bausch + Lomb makes eye care products you can trust, from contact lens solution to eye drops, vitamins, & ointments to help your eyes feel moisturized & protected
- #1 Dr Recommended Brand of Artificial Tears*
- Thicker eye drop formulation that creates a protective shield over your eyes.
- Convenience of a drop with a protection of a gel.
- For the temporary relief of burning and irritation due to dryness of the eye
- NOTE: PRODUCT PACKAGING MAY VARY
- CORNEAL EDEMA SYMPTOM SUPPORT: Introducing Rugby Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity eye drops, a remedy that may help reduce symptoms of corneal edema.
- INGREDIENTS: Our formula is made with 5% sodium chloride, a hypertonicity agent. It is free from alcohol, soy, sugar, latex, gluten, and peanuts.
- QUALITY FORMULATION: We maintain high standards of care through strict regulatory compliance to deliver carefully formulated, effective eye drops. With a 5% sodium chloride formula, our solution may help to provide temporary relief from symptoms of corneal edema.
- HOW TO USE: Instill 1 or 2 drops of our solution into the affected eye(s) every 3 or 4 hours or as directed by a physician. It may cause temporary burning or irritation when used. Stop use if the condition persists for more than 72 hours.
- RUGBY LABORATORIES: At Rugby Laboratories, we believe wellness should be accessible to everyone. We pride ourselves on our legacy of delivering quality OTC and vitamin supplements.
- Temporary Relief of Corneal Edema – Our 5% Sodium Chloride Ophthalmic Hypertonicity Ointment provides targeted relief for corneal edema and abrasions, helping to soothe and comfort your eyes.
- Reliable Results – Delivers the same active ingredient and dosage as found in major corneal edema brands, 5% sodium chloride ophthalmic hypertonicity. Includes 1 eye ointment tube, 1/8 oz (3.5g).
- Expertly Formulated – Our ointment is carefully formulated with lanolin and mineral oil by a team of eye care professionals, ensuring it is both safe and effective for use on the delicate tissues of the eye.
- How to Use – To relieve symptoms, pull down the lower lid of the affected eye. Apply a small amount (1/4 inch) of ointment to the inside of the eyelid. Apply every 3 or 4 hours or as directed by a doctor.
- Why WELMATE? - Founded in 2020 by former pharmacy employees who were fed up with the pricing of over-the-counter medication. Today, we continue to bring affordable health and wellness products to your doorstep as America's trusted OTC store.
- Muro 128 Sterile Ophthalmic 2% Solution provides a sterile eye wash solution
- Directions: to 2 drops in affected eye(s) every 3 to 4 hours, or as directed by your doctor. Read enclosed insert for complete product information
- Uses: Temporary relief of corneal edema
- For over 150 years, Bausch + Lomb has focused on innovation & quality in our eye care products, from contact lenses & solutions to eye drops, ointments, eye vitamins & more
- Bausch + Lomb makes eye care products you can trust, from contact lens solution to eye drops, vitamins, & ointments to help your eyes feel moisturized & protected
- Preservative-free moisture-rich formula
- Designed to relieve moderate symptoms of eye dryness.
- Delivers advanced hydration and lubrication
- Supports all three tear film layers
- Helps prevent tears from evaporating
- EYE DROPS FOR RED EYES: LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops significantly reduce redness to help reveal your eyes' natural radiance. From the eye care experts at Bausch + Lomb, LUMIFY works in 1 minute & lasts up to 8 hours.
- LUMIFY IS DIFFERENT: LUMIFY eye drops are one of a kind. LUMIFY is the only over-the-counter drop that contains the active ingredient brimonidine, which works to selectively target redness, alleviating some of the potential side effects associated with other redness relievers, when used as directed.
- FDA APPROVED: LUMIFY contains no bleach or dyes and is FDA approved. LUMIFY eye drops significantly reduce redness to help eyes appear whiter, brighter, and more radiant. It’s the #1 Eye Doctor recommended redness reliever (based on IQVIA survey)
- WHAT CAUSES EYE REDNESS? Eye redness, unrelated to infection or injury, is a common condition that can be caused by eye fatigue, dryness or dust, overexposure to the sun, allergies, swimming in chlorinated pools, or contact lenses.
- AMAZING LOOKING EYES: We understand how important eyes are. And despite all the eye creams, mascara, eye-liners and shadows, if your eyes are red, you won’t look your best.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Eye Drops for Corneal Abrasion Relief
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the clear front surface of your eye, called the cornea. It can hurt a lot! These eye drops can help your eye heal faster and feel better. Choosing the right one matters.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for drops to treat a scratched eye, look for specific features. These features help your eye heal properly and keep you comfortable.
- **Lubrication Power:** The best drops act like a cushion. They keep your eye moist. Dry eyes hurt more when you have an abrasion. Look for drops labeled as “artificial tears” or “lubricating eye drops.”
- **Preservative-Free Options:** Preservatives are chemicals that keep the drops fresh after opening. However, if you use drops often (which you will with an abrasion), preservatives can sometimes irritate your already sensitive eye. Single-use vials are usually preservative-free.
- **Healing Ingredients:** Some drops contain ingredients that specifically support the healing process of the cornea. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid or specific vitamins.
- **Viscosity (Thickness):** Thicker drops stay on your eye longer. This means you don’t have to put them in as often. However, very thick gels can sometimes blur your vision temporarily. Find a good balance.
Important Materials in Healing Drops
The ingredients inside the bottle are very important. They determine how well the drops work.
The most crucial materials are the lubricating agents. Hyaluronic acid is excellent. It holds onto water very well, keeping your eye wet for a long time. Glycerin is another common, safe lubricant. These materials mimic your natural tears.
Avoid drops that contain harsh chemicals or redness relievers (decongestants). Redness relievers shrink blood vessels, which sounds good, but they do not help your scratch heal. In fact, they can dry out your eye more over time.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a good corneal abrasion drop great? What makes a bad one worse?
Quality Boosters:
- **Sterility:** The drops must be completely sterile. If germs get into your eye, the abrasion can turn into a serious infection. Always check the packaging for a seal.
- **pH Balance:** High-quality drops match the natural pH level of your eye. This prevents stinging when you apply them.
Quality Reducers:
- **Repeated Use of Preservatives:** If you use the same bottle for weeks, the preservatives break down or build up, irritating the damaged cornea.
- **Contamination:** Touching the dropper tip to your eye, hand, or any surface contaminates the entire bottle. This severely reduces quality and increases risk.
User Experience and Use Cases
How do these drops actually feel and when should you use them?
When you have an abrasion, your eye feels gritty, scratchy, and sensitive to light. You should use lubricating drops frequently—often every hour or two when the pain is bad. The primary use case is immediate pain relief and moisture retention while the scratch heals.
A good user experience means the drop goes in smoothly. It should feel cool and soothing, not hot or stinging. If a drop stings immediately, stop using it. Your eye is telling you the ingredients are too harsh for the injury.
Remember, these drops manage symptoms and support healing. They usually do not replace prescription antibiotic drops your doctor might give you if the abrasion is deep or risky.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Corneal Abrasion Drops
Q: Can I use regular artificial tears for a corneal abrasion?
A: Yes, if they are preservative-free and highly lubricating. They provide the moisture your eye needs to keep the lids from sticking to the scratch when you blink.
Q: How often should I use these drops?
A: Your doctor will give the best advice. Generally, use them often—sometimes every hour—especially in the first 24 to 48 hours when the eye is most painful.
Q: Do these drops cure the abrasion?
A: No. They help keep the eye moist so the body can heal the scratch naturally. They treat the pain and dryness, but they don’t magically fix the scratch itself.
Q: Should I use thick gels or thin, watery drops?
A: Thicker gels last longer, which is great for nighttime. Thin drops are better during the day if you need to read or drive, as they cause less temporary blurriness.
Q: Can I use these drops if I wear contact lenses?
A: Absolutely not. Never put any eye drops in your eye while wearing contact lenses, especially when you have an injury. Remove lenses immediately.
Q: What is the difference between preservative-free and preserved drops?
A: Preservative-free drops come in small, single-use plastic vials. Preserved drops come in larger bottles with chemicals added to stop bacteria growth after opening.
Q: When should I stop using the drops?
A: Stop using them once your eye feels completely normal and you have seen your eye doctor for a follow-up. Do not use them for months without checking with a professional.
Q: Can I use these drops with prescription antibiotic drops?
A: Yes, but time them apart. Put the antibiotic drops in first, wait 5 to 10 minutes, and then use your lubricating drops.
Q: What if the drops sting when I put them in?
A: Stinging means the ingredients are irritating your raw cornea. Stop using those specific drops and try a different, very basic, preservative-free artificial tear.
Q: Are these drops the same as allergy drops?
A: No. Allergy drops contain antihistamines to stop itching. Corneal abrasion drops focus only on lubrication and healing. Never use allergy drops on a scratch.