What is a corneal ulcer?
A corneal ulcer is an open sore found on the outer layer of the cornea. If a corneal ulcer is left untreated, it can lead to corneal scarring, significant vision loss or even loss of the eye.
What are the symptoms of corneal ulcer?
The main symptoms are:
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Pain and discomfort
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Itching and discharge
- Red or bloodshot eye
- Watery eyes
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- White patch on the cornea
Medical Tests for Corneal Ulcer
In order to find out if you have a corneal ulcer, your ophthalmologist will administer a special dye, called fluorescein, into your eye. After allowing it to take effect, he or she will examine your cornea under a microscope. If you are considered to have a corneal ulcer caused by an infection, a small tissue sample will be taken.
What are the causes of a corneal ulcer?
The cause is usually an infection by bacteria, a virus, fungus or parasite. Other causes include severe dry eyes, severe allergic disease, eyelids that do not close properly, or foreign bodies in the eye.
People most at risk for corneal ulcers are those who:
- Wear contact lenses.
- Use eye drops with steroids.
- Have had cold sores, chicken pox or shingles.
- Have dry eye.
- Have eye disorders.
- Have corneal lesions or burns.
Can corneal ulcers be prevented?
The recommended measures to prevent corneal ulcer are:
- Wash hands thoroughly before wearing contact lenses.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses at night.
- Undergo timely and early treatment of any eye infection.
What is the treatment of corneal ulcer?
Treatment depends on the cause. Once the cause is known, eye drops may be prescribed to treat herpes, bacteria, other viruses or a fungus. If the exact cause is not known, antibiotic drops are usually prescribed and are effective against many types of bacteria.
In cases of severe ulcers it is sometimes necessary to perform a corneal transplant, which consists of replacing the cornea with tissue from a donor.
What specialist treats it?
A corneal ulcer should be diagnosed and treated by a specialist in Ophthalmology.