Corneal Abrasion: Should I see the eye doctor again?

[pcat3321]

About two months ago i had a very small corneal abrasion on my left eye. It healed. I went to a follow up appointment. The doctor put some dye in my eye and said everything looked all healed. see you in a few years she said.

I sometimes wake up to the same feeling as when i received my original abrasion (maybe once or twice a week). My eye really hurts, and it feels like there is something stuck in there causing the irritation. My eye will start watering uncontrollably and it gets very red. I have been self treating this by getting a warm washcloth and putting it over my eye to soothe it until the sensation stops. I usually go back to bed for another hour or so and when i wake up, i'm fine. The redness is gone. Te pain stops, and everything seems to be back to normal.

I do have a lot of potential eye strain at work/home most of the day (staring at screens mostly) I have started taking refresh optive before bed to try and combat dry eyes.

My question is: Do i have anything to worry about? Should i go see the doctor again to avoid long term damage? I feel like they won't do anything again if they don't see the eye is damaged, and i don't really want to waste money on an ineffective office visit (last bill was 150 dollars just for someone to look at my eye and tell me im fine)

I have been reading up on reoccurring corneal abrasions. I read that the abrasion can actually take 6 months to a year to be fully repaired. What i might be experiencing is a tear that heals itself in a few minutes. It might be caused by my eye lids pulling the healing tissue up in the morning because my eyes are to strained/dry when i go to bed. I am just trying to figure out if my discomfort is normal or not. Any guidance on my situation would be appreciated.

Thank you,

[JohnHaganMD]

You are describing a classical recurrent corneal erosion.  Use the search feature and read about it. See an ophthalmologist for treatment which can take months.

[pcat3321]

Thanks for the advice. This does sound like what is happening to me. I will see an ophthalmologist. Do you know what the difference between acute and chronic RCES is in the context of this condition?

[JohnHaganMD]

FOLLOW THIS LINK I WROTE A WHOLE ARTICLE ON IT: https://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/index/177275?page=4&personal_page_id=67912&sort_by=date

There is no such thing as acute recurrent corneal erosions.  The word "recurrent' is the same as 'chronic'

[pcat3321]

Thanks!

[JohnHaganMD]

Good luck. This is a common problem. I tell my patients use gel or ointment every night and artificial tears every morning and  don't stop that until you have gone 4-6 months without waking up with pain and don't have fan running in bedroom. Even then some RCE need 'micro-needle' treatment.