Can Telemedicine Treat Corneal Abrasion - Triage?

Audience: adult

A corneal abrasion is a scratch or injury to the clear front surface of the eye. It can cause pain, redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light. Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide you on the next steps, but it cannot replace an in-person eye exam by a healthcare professional. Many minor corneal abrasions may heal with proper care, but some require urgent treatment to prevent complications. During a telemedicine visit, a provider can ask about your symptoms, review photos or videos of your eye, and advise whether you need to see an eye specialist urgently or can manage symptoms at home. If you experience severe pain, vision changes, or signs of infection, you should seek immediate in-person care. Telemedicine is a useful first step for triage and education but is not a substitute for hands-on eye examination and treatment when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe eye pain that does not improve with over-the-counter pain relief — seek emergency care.
• Sudden decrease or loss of vision — get urgent in-person evaluation.
• Eye discharge, pus, or swelling around the eye — see a healthcare provider immediately.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial symptom assessment and triage for corneal abrasion.
• Providing guidance on home care for minor injuries.
• Determining urgency and advising when to seek in-person care.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing a detailed eye examination with special instruments.
• Diagnosing deeper eye injuries or infections.
• Prescribing or administering treatments requiring physical evaluation.

What is a Corneal Abrasion?

A corneal abrasion is a scratch or scrape on the cornea, the clear layer covering the front of your eye. It can happen from dust, fingernails, contact lenses, or small objects. Symptoms often include eye pain, redness, tearing, feeling like something is in your eye, and sensitivity to light.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Through a video or phone call, a healthcare provider can ask about your symptoms and medical history. They may ask you to send photos or videos of your eye. This helps them decide if your injury looks minor or if you need urgent in-person care. They can also give advice on pain relief and eye protection.

When In-Person Care is Needed

Some corneal abrasions need urgent evaluation by an eye specialist. This includes if you have severe pain, blurred or decreased vision, discharge or pus, eye injury with a sharp object, or symptoms that worsen or do not improve in a day or two. In these cases, telemedicine is not enough, and you should get prompt in-person care.

Home Care Tips for Minor Abrasions

If your provider advises home care, you may be told to avoid rubbing your eye, use lubricating eye drops, protect your eye from bright light, and avoid contact lenses until healed. Follow all instructions carefully and watch for any worsening symptoms.

Limitations of Telemedicine for Eye Injuries

Telemedicine cannot perform a detailed eye exam or use special equipment to check for deeper injury or infection. It also cannot provide treatments like eye drops that require a prescription after examination. For serious or unclear cases, an in-person visit is essential.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Find a well-lit area for the video call where your eye can be clearly seen.
• Have a clean cloth or tissue ready to gently wipe your eye if needed.
• Prepare to describe your symptoms clearly, including how and when the injury happened.
• Have a device ready to take and send close-up photos or videos of your eye if requested.
• List any medications you are currently taking and any allergies you have.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the provider's advice on eye protection and medication use.
• Avoid rubbing or touching your injured eye.
• Use lubricating eye drops if recommended to keep your eye moist.
• Monitor your symptoms closely and seek in-person care if they worsen or do not improve.
• Attend any follow-up appointments as advised by your healthcare provider.

FAQs

Can a corneal abrasion heal on its own?

Many minor corneal abrasions heal within a few days with proper care, such as keeping the eye clean and avoiding irritation. However, some abrasions need medical treatment to prevent infection or scarring.

Is it safe to use over-the-counter eye drops for a scratched eye?

Lubricating or artificial tear eye drops are usually safe and can help relieve dryness and discomfort. Avoid using redness-relief drops unless advised by a healthcare provider, as they may worsen some conditions.

When should I see an eye specialist after a corneal abrasion?

If your symptoms worsen, you experience vision changes, severe pain, or signs of infection like discharge or swelling, you should see an eye specialist promptly. Also, if symptoms do not improve within 1-2 days, seek further evaluation.

Can telemedicine replace an in-person eye exam for corneal abrasions?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide you on next steps but cannot replace a detailed in-person eye exam. Some injuries require hands-on examination and treatment that only an eye specialist can provide.

Sources

1. Corneal Abrasion — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine / NIH.
2. Eye Injuries — Mayo Clinic.
3. Eye Injuries and Emergencies — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Corneal Abrasion: Diagnosis and Treatment — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only. It is not a substitute for in-person medical evaluation and treatment. If you experience severe symptoms or worsening condition, seek immediate in-person care.