Emergency Medicine

Answer 2 Evert the eyelid. Blinking action due to a foreign body under the upper eyelid results in multiple, parallel, vertically-oriented corneal abrasions. Although cycloplegic drops and antibiotic ointment may be part of the therapy of a corneal abrasion, removal of the offending foreign matter is the first step in treatment. Eye patching is at best controversial in corneal abrasions and has no utility if the foreign body remains. Loose, particulate foreign matter may be cleared with irrigation, but direct application of a Morgan lens (preferred for chemical exposures) to an eye that has a retained foreign body is generally not recommended. Click here to return to the questions

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