Bandage Contact Lenses for Corneal Abrasions

Two percent of all patients presenting to the Emergency Departments have complaints involving the eye. Corneal abrasions are a common diagnosis with patients with eye pain and often cause significant discomfort. Current treatment includes a thorough evaluation of the eye followed by patching, empiric antibiotics, cycloplegics and oral pain medicines. This study will be a randomized controlled trial to determine the safety and efficacy of BCLs. It will involve the initial patient evaluation followed by a return visit to the Emergency Department within 36 hours for re-examination. At each visit, the patient will be assessed for the size and location of the abrasion along with their report of pain using a visual analog scale. Data will be recorded on a standard data collection sheet. Telephone contact will be made at 30 days to ensure resolution of abrasion and that no complications ensued.