Recurrent Corneal Erosions
Many people at one time or another will have a piece of grit fly into their eye and have to have it professionally removed. Once the eye is patched for 24 hours, the cornea repairs itself and the mishap is forgotten.

If however, the eye is injured by anything organic, such as a fingernail, the cornea may heal but break down again weeks or months later.
The entire sequence of the initial accident is relived, and the person suffers pain,
sensitivity to light, watering eyes, redness of the eye, and marked blurring of vision.
The event may seem unreal because there is no antecedent injury the second or third time.
For immediate relief, a local anesthetic will relieve the symptoms. Treatment consists of a pressure bandage on the eye to promote the healing. Mechanical denuding of the loose corneal epithelium may be necessary. The other eye should be kept closed most of the
time to minimize movement of the lid over the affected eye.
Bed rest is desirable for 24 hours. The cornea usually heals in 2 -3 days. To prevent recurrence and to promote continued healing it is important for these patients to use a bland ointment (e.g.. boric acid or other ocular lubricants) at bedtime for several months. In more severe cases, artificial tears are instilled during the day. The use of hypertonic ointment or saline drops
is often of value. Therapeutic soft contact lenses and needle micropuncture of Bowman’s layer have been useful in cases that do not respond to more conservative management.