A scratch on your cornea (the outer clear part of the eye that covers the colored iris part) can be dangerous because it can become infected or lead to scarring, which may cause reduced vision or blindness. Depending on how deep your scratch is, your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotics to address the infection or steroids to reduce inflammation so that your eye can heal properly.

This type of injury can also lead to another condition called “recurrent erosions” where the cornea has continued episodes of pain, light sensitivity, watering and possible scarring that become a chronic or lifetime problem.