A common injury is a metallic foreign body embedded in the cornea. Grinding or drilling in iron or other metals will release particles that can hit the eye and embed themselves in the cornea. If it is iron, it will immediately begin to rust due to the salty consistency of our tears. When the metal particle is removed, there is a remaining rust deposit that has infiltrated the surrounding cornea. We have experience at removing these rust spots. With proper medical treatment these injuries resolve well.

Safety glasses are always recommended to prevent these types of injuries.

Emergency Eye Care

If you have symptoms of “flashes of light” in your vision when there is no light to explain the flashes, this could mean that there is something happening on the back of the eye. The eye does not have any pain sensors, so flashes are your best clue that there is something wrong. In contrast, the cornea (the clear window on the front of the eye) has more nerve pain sensors that any other part of the body. Injury to the cornea can be incredibly painful. However, in both cases, immediate treatment is needed. Call immediately when an injury occurs. For emergencies, please call the office at 204-460-7326 or after hours call Dr. Abel at 304-266-8150.