Question about corneal abrasions

[grapejuice01]

I had a car accident earlier this week and ended up with glass in my eye and some corneal abrasions...the doctor gave me cyclogyl drops to dilate my eye and an erythromycin ointment.

My question: what is the purpose of dilating the eye as a treatment?

He told me, but I cant remember...

Thanks!

~~Rachel

[mommatrauma, RN]

I had a car accident earlier this week and ended up with glass in my eye and some corneal abrasions...the doctor gave me cyclogyl drops to dilate my eye and an erythromycin ointment.

My question: what is the purpose of dilating the eye as a treatment?

He told me, but I cant remember...

Thanks!

~~Rachel

Cycloplegics and mydriatics -- No good evidence exists in the literature to support the common practice of using cycloplegics/mydriatics for the treatment of routine corneal abrasions. However, most ophthalmologists believe that the instillation of a long-acting cycloplegic agent can provide significant relief in patients who have extensive corneal abrasions, a large degree of photophobia, and blepharospasm. These agents relax any ciliary muscle spasm that may cause a deep, aching pain and photophobia.

Cycloplegic agents are mydriatics; thus, to prevent an acute angle-closure attack, ensure that patient does not have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Corneal Abrasions