CORNEAL SCRAPING AND CAUTERIZATION OF ULCERS

CORNEAL SCRAPING

It is done in cases of corneal ulcer or corneal abscess. 

This procedure is carried out either under slit lamp or microscope.

 One drop of local anesthetic drug like Paracaine is put in the eye, wait for 30 seconds so that local anesthesia is achieved.

 With the help of a hypodermic needle cornea is scraped and dead tissue is removed and sent for culture and sensitivity examination. 

This procedure should be carried out very gently to avoid corneal perforation.

Advantages of Scraping

1. It removes dead tissue thus drug can penetrate the cornea better that helps in healing.

2. Along with the dead tissue, the debris is also removed which contains pathogens. Thus the load of bacteria is also reduced.

CAUTERIZATION OF ULCERS

It is done for better healing of corneal ulcers.

 After scraping cornea is washed with normal saline. 1:5 diluted betadine lotion is applied over the ulcerated area.

 Carbolic Acid (Phenol) is applied over the margins of corneal ulcer. 

One drop of atropine is put in the eye. Pad and bandage is done with antibiotic eye ointment. This is known as chemical cauterization. It prevents extension of ulcer.

Instead of carbolic acid heat cautery can also be applied at the margins 

of the ulcer.