The cornea is the transparent front layer of your eye. Corneal damage, often an abrasion, is one of the most common eye injuries.
It can happen from sand or dust in the eye, vigorous rubbing, a sharp nail, or a branch. The injury usually strikes right after irritants enter, making the cause clear. Contact lenses raise the risk.
Seek a doctor's evaluation and treatment promptly. With proper care, it typically heals in a week. Protect the fragile eye by avoiding rubbing. It's infection-prone during recovery, so your doctor may patch it. Follow instructions closely to prevent complications.