Treating simple corneal abrasions with a patch does not improve healing rates on the first day post-injury and does not reduce pain. In addition, use of patches results in a loss of binocular vision. Therefore it is recommended that patches should not be used for simple corneal abrasions. Further research should focus on large (greater than 10 mm2) abrasions.
Efficacy of eyepad in corneal healing after corneal foreign body removal.
30 patients with corneal epithelial defect due to removal of corneal foreign bodies were randomly allocated to receive either chloramphenicol with continuous application of an eyepad or chloramphenicol without the eyepad. Almost all corneal defects were healed at 24 h, and all were healed by 48 h, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Discomfort at 24 h was greater in the eyepad group than in the control group. An eyepad seems to confer no benefit in healing and is uncomfortable.