Name of the Procedure:

Scraping of Cornea, Diagnostic (Corneal Scraping for Smear and/or Culture)

Summary

Corneal scraping is a procedure where a small sample from the surface of the cornea is collected by a healthcare provider, usually to diagnose an infection or another condition. The sample is then analyzed in a lab to identify the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other pathogens.

Purpose

This procedure is primarily used to diagnose infections or other issues affecting the cornea. The main goals are to identify the causative organism of an infection, guide appropriate treatment, and prevent further complications.

Indications

• Persistent eye redness, pain, or irritation
• Unexplained discharge from the eye
• Non-healing corneal ulcers
• Suspected infectious keratitis
• Decreased vision with signs of corneal infection

Preparation

• No fasting is usually required.
• Patients may need to stop using certain eye drops prior to the procedure.
• An eye exam and possibly other diagnostic tests, such as a slit-lamp examination, will be conducted beforehand.

Procedure Description

1. The patient is seated in a chair, and the affected eye is numbed using local anesthetic eye drops.
2. The eye is kept open using an eyelid speculum.
3. A sterile instrument, such as a spatula or fine needle, is gently used to scrape the surface of the cornea to collect a sample.
4. The obtained sample is placed on slides or in culture media for laboratory analysis.
5. The procedure is usually quick and done with minimal discomfort.

Tools: Eyelid speculum, sterile spatula or fine needle, slides or culture media for sample collection.

Anesthesia: Local anesthetic eye drops.

Duration

The actual scraping part of the procedure typically takes a few minutes, but the entire process, including preparation and post-procedure care, may take about 15-30 minutes.

Setting

The procedure is generally performed in an ophthalmologist's office or an outpatient clinic.

Personnel

• Ophthalmologist
• Ophthalmic technician or nurse

Risks and Complications

• Temporary discomfort or pain
• Infection
• Mild bleeding
• Corneal abrasion
• In rare cases, scarring or worsening of the condition

Benefits

• Accurate diagnosis of corneal infections
• Targeted treatment based on specific causative organisms
• Prevention of vision loss and other severe complications

Recovery

• Patients may be given antibiotic eye drops or ointments post-procedure.
• Discomfort typically subsides within a few hours to a couple of days.
• Follow-up appointments are necessary to review lab results and monitor healing.

Alternatives

• Clinical observation with empirical treatment without a definitive diagnosis.
• Non-invasive diagnostic tests such as tear film analysis or imaging studies.
• Pros: Non-invasive, less discomfort. Cons: Less accurate, may delay appropriate treatment.

Patient Experience

During the procedure, patients might feel slight pressure or discomfort but not sharp pain due to the local anesthesia. Afterward, they may experience a gritty sensation in the eye, mild irritation, or discomfort that can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medications. Following the clinician's advice on eye care and medication use will aid in a smooth recovery.