Michael Healy

You might think there’s nothing more annoying than having something in your eye that you just can’t seem to get out—until “that something” turns out to be a scratch in your eye.

A scratched eye, or a corneal abrasion, isn’t just one of the most annoying eye injuries, it’s also one of the most common. In fact, scratched corneas are so common they account for up to nearly 10 percent of all eye-related doctors’ visits, according to the American Family Physician.

What is a corneal abrasion?

A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea, the clear, protective front portion of the eye that covers the iris (the colored part of your eye).

For many, it’s difficult to distinguish between having something in your eye or having a corneal abrasion. However, as you can imagine, unlike having something like dust or an eyelash in your eye, a scratched cornea can have a serious, long-term impact on your vision and eye health, especially if the cornea is scarred while healing. So, it’s very important for you to see your eye doctor immediately if you suspect you may have a corneal abrasion.

Have you started to notice subtle changes in your vision? Maybe you need to squint a bit when reading or perhaps you notice more frequent headaches or even some hazy, double vision while driving. 

If anything sounds familiar, it might be time to schedule an eye exam. But who should you see? 

Should you schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, or an optician. Whatever happened to the good ole eye doctor?

If you are struggling to choose the right type of specialist to visit when you are experiencing an issue with your vision, you’re not alone. Many people are confused when it comes to understanding the difference between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians.

Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians are all eye care professionals with a specific role in helping diagnose, treat, and care for your eyes. However, where the specialties differ is the level of training specifically required for the services provided by each type of provider.

Very few of us are blessed with 20/20 vision our entire life. In fact, according to the University of Iowa, only about 35% of adults have 20/20 vision without the support of glasses, contact lenses, or corrective eye surgery. If you’re amongst the majority, at some point you’ll need to decide how best to address your vision challenges.

Your options are straightforward: you can wear eyeglasses, contact lenses, eyeglasses and contact lenses, or opt for LASIK surgery. When it comes to vision correction, several important factors may influence the choice you make. Let’s take a look at what to consider when deciding on eyeglasses, contact lenses, or LASIK.