Small children are a common source of corneal abrasions because they can accidentally poke the eyes of whoever is holding them. In some cases, the immediate cause of a corneal abrasion may not be apparent, as symptoms may occur hours after the injury to the cornea.
There are a variety of causes of corneal abrasions. These include:
- Something hitting or blowing into the eye, such as plant matter, sawdust, or ash;
- Foreign matter, such as dust, dirt or sand, getting stuck under your eyelid;
- Sports injuries;
- Improperly fitted or maintained contact lenses;
- Something poking you in the eye;
- Rubbing your eyes vigorously, especially if you feel something is caught in your eye;
- Certain eye conditions, including trachoma, a bacterial infection;
- Undergoing surgery under general anesthesia.
Next Page: Corneal Abrasion Symptoms
