Can Telemedicine Treat Corneal Abrasion - Triage?

Audience: pediatric

A corneal abrasion is a scratch or injury to the clear front surface of the eye. In children, it can cause pain, redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light. Telemedicine can often help assess these symptoms and guide families on initial care steps. During a virtual visit, a healthcare provider can ask about symptoms, look at the eye using video, and decide if urgent in-person care is needed. However, some cases require a physical exam or special tests that cannot be done remotely. If signs of infection, worsening vision, or severe pain are present, immediate in-person evaluation is important. Telemedicine is a helpful first step to understand the injury and provide advice but is not a substitute for emergency or specialized eye care.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child has sudden vision loss or cannot see clearly — seek emergency care immediately.
• Eye is very painful, red, or has thick yellow or green discharge — get urgent in-person evaluation.
• Injury involves chemical exposure or a sharp object penetrating the eye — go to emergency services right away.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial symptom assessment and history taking
• Visual inspection via video for obvious redness or swelling
• Providing advice on home care and pain management
• Determining urgency for in-person evaluation

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing detailed eye examination with special instruments
• Diagnosing infections or foreign bodies in the eye
• Administering treatments like eye drops or patching
• Managing severe or complicated eye injuries

What Is a Corneal Abrasion?

A corneal abrasion is a scratch or scrape on the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye. It can happen when something rubs or pokes the eye, like a fingernail, a branch, or dust. In children, these injuries are common because they often play outdoors or touch their eyes.

Symptoms to Watch For

Common signs of a corneal abrasion include:

If your child has these symptoms, a healthcare provider can help decide the next steps.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Through a video visit, a healthcare provider can:

Telemedicine is a useful way to quickly assess mild injuries and reduce unnecessary travel.

When to Seek In-Person Care

Some situations need immediate face-to-face evaluation, such as:

In these cases, telemedicine cannot replace an eye exam and urgent treatment.

Basic Home Care Tips

If the injury seems mild, you can:

Avoid using any eye drops unless prescribed by a healthcare provider.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Find a quiet, well-lit area for the video visit.
• Have your child's medical history and injury details ready.
• Prepare to describe symptoms clearly, including when they started.
• Have a clean cloth or cool compress available if needed.
• Ensure a device with a working camera and microphone is ready.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider's instructions carefully.
• Monitor your child's symptoms for improvement or worsening.
• Avoid rubbing or touching the injured eye.
• Use recommended pain relief methods as advised.
• Seek in-person care if red flags or worsening symptoms appear.

FAQs

Can a corneal abrasion heal on its own?

Many minor corneal abrasions heal within a few days with proper care and avoiding further injury. However, it's important to monitor symptoms and follow medical advice to prevent complications.

Is it safe to use eye drops for a scratched eye?

Only use eye drops prescribed or recommended by a healthcare provider. Some drops can irritate the eye or delay healing if used incorrectly.

When should I take my child to the emergency room?

If your child has severe pain, vision changes, eye discharge, or if the injury involved chemicals or a sharp object, seek emergency care immediately.

Can telemedicine replace an eye doctor visit for this injury?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide care but cannot replace a full eye examination needed for some injuries. In-person visits may be necessary.

Sources

1. Corneal Abrasion — MedlinePlus | U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. Eye Injuries in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Corneal Abrasion: Diagnosis and Treatment — Mayo Clinic.
4. Eye Injuries — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If you have concerns about your child's eye injury, seek evaluation from a healthcare professional promptly.