Corneal Ulcer

Diseases

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Corneal Ulcer

A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the Cornea, the thin clear layer over the iris.

Corneal Ulcer Symptoms

  • Redness
  • Severe pain
  • The feeling that something is in eye
  • Tearing
  • Pus or thick discharge from eye
  • Blurring
  • Pain when looking at bright lights
  • Swollen eyelids
  • A round white spot on the cornea
  • Vision changes
  • Severe pain
  • Discharge from the eye

It’s especially important to watch for problems if you’ve scratched your cornea before or if you’ve been around chemicals or small particles like sand, metal, or glass.

Corneal Ulcer Corneal Ulcer

Causes of Corneal Ulcer

Infections cause most corneal ulcers.

  • Bacterial Infections
  • Viral infections
  • Fungal infections
  • Parasitic infections

Corneal Ulcer Risk Factors

People who wear Contact lenses are more likely to get corneal ulcers. This risk is 10 times higher if extended-wear (overnight) soft contacts are used.

Bacteria on the lens or in the cleaning solution could get trapped under the lens. Wearing lenses for long periods can also block oxygen to the cornea, raising the chances of infection.

Scratches on the edge of the contact lens, might scrape your cornea and leave it more open to bacterial infections. Tiny particles of dirt trapped under the contact could also scratch the Cornea.

Other things that may lead to a corneal ulcer include:

  • Steroid eye drops
  • Disorders that cause dry eyes
  • Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
  • Eyelashes that grow inward
  • Eyelids that turn inward
  • Conditions that affect the eyelid and keep it from closing all the way, like Bell’s palsy
  • Chemical burns or other cornea injuries

Corneal Ulcer Treatment

Medications

Depending on the cause of the ulcer, it could probably be antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops.