A 37-year-old member asked:
How long does it take for your cornea to heal?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Gregory Pintoanswered
37 years experience
Corneal abrasion: If you have scratched your cornea (creating a "corneal abrasion"), your cornea often heals within 24-72 hours. Healing time may be longer, however, if the abrasion is deep, irregular or becomes infected. It is a good idea to have a scratched cornea evaluated by a physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Lloyd Williamsanswered
Ophthalmology 15 years experience
About 1-4 days: It depends on the size of the scratch. Uncomplicated small scratches or abrasions can heal in 24 hours. The entire corneal surface can heal in 3-4 days. If there is infection, chemical burn, or other significant disease, though, all bets are off.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 29-year-old member asked:
How long does it take for scratched cornea to heal?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Eitneranswered
Family Medicine 36 years experience
Typically, 24 hours: The cornea turns over new cells every 24 hours, so typically a scratch will heal withing 24-48 hours, depending on how deep the scratch may be. You also need to be concerned that there is still not a foreign body present in the eye or the eye becomes infected. If your vision is affected, the pain increases, symptoms not improving, the eye is getting more red or is matted in the am, see your doc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
For how long does a ripped cornea heal?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Stephen Khachikiananswered
Ophthalmology 23 years experience
2-7 days: Depending on the severity of the injury this will usually take between one day and one week. If the injury is severe it can take longer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
How long does it take for a scratched cornea to completely heal?
2 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in

Dr. Danny Proffittanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
12-24 hours: A simple corneal abrasion will heal in 12-24 hours. If you are still having pain after this, you may need to see your health care professional. Don't risk it!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
How long does it take my cornea to grow back?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Pavel Conovalciucanswered
Family Medicine 25 years experience
Not sure: I am not sure what the problem is by description. The only structure of the cornea that "can grow back" is epithelium. After a simple scratch it may regenerate in 24 hours. If deeper structures are involved, the damage may be irreversible.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 12, 2017
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