CORNEALULCER

Erosion in the cornea, the transparent outer part of the front of the eyes, is called a corneal ulcer. These ulcers can be very painful and, if they are left untreated, may cause scarring and lead to permanently impaired vision, blindness, or even loss of the eye. People who wear contact lenses are at increased risk of corneal ulcers.

What are the Causes?

Corneal ulcers may be caused by an eye injury, an infection, or a combination of both. A relatively small injury such as a corneal abrasion (left), can develop into a corneal ulcer if the damaged area becomes infected. A more severe injury, such as that caused by a caustic chemical, can produce an ulcer in the absence of infection. However, an ulcer that becomes infected may enlarge and penetrate more deeply into the cornea. Only rarely do infections cause corneal ulcers without prior injury. The most common of these infections are herpes zoster, known as shingles, and herpes simplex infections.

What are the Symptoms?

If you have a corneal ulcer, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Intense pain in the eye.
• Redness and discharge from the eye.
• Blurry vision.
• Increased sensitivity to light.



With an untreated infected ulcer, the infection may spread and permanently damage the vision in that eye and the eye itself. Consult your doctor immediately if you develop a painful, red eye along with blurry vision.

What Might Be Done?


Your doctor may place fluorescein eye-drops in the affected eye and examine it under blue light, using a slit lamp. He or she may also take a swab to identify the cause. If the dye reveals an ulcer, you may be given antibiotic or antiviral eye-drops to treat the infection. Even severe ulcers usually clear up within 1-2 weeks of treatment, but they can leave scars of treatment, but they can leave scars that permanently affect vision.


Conjunctivitis, Cornealulcer, trachoma