Corneal Ulcers
Services -> Eye Conditions -> Corneal Ulcerss
What is a corneal ulcer?
Be careful if you use contact lenses and wake up one morning with eye discharge, redness, and pain. Among many other causes, it can be a corneal ulcer.
An abrasion or ulcer in the cornea is a scratch on the external layer of the cornea. It happens in cases of eye trauma or eye infection, when mechanical trauma and microbes break down the corneal surface. The otherwise transparent cornea now looks grayish or white, obstructing the vision at varying degrees.
What are the causes of corneal ulcers?
The most common cause is bacterial or fungal infection. Another cause is an injury to the eyeball, because it turns into an entry point for bacterial infections.
Anyone wearing contact lenses is at a higher risk, especially if they use them for very extended periods or overnight, increasing the risk of infection. Also, some contact lens wearers undergo microtrauma and small scratches in the corneal surface that harbor bacteria and ultimately cause a corneal ulcer.
Other microorganisms can cause corneal ulcers, including the herpes virus and parasitic infections by Acanthamoeba. We can find this parasite living in swimming pools, tap water, and hot tubs. This Acanthamoeba can cause a severe case of corneal ulcer.
Thus, contact lens users are encouraged to keep good hygiene measures, washing hands before handling their contact lenses, and disinfecting appropriately.
Risk Factors for Corneal Ulcers
The most relevant risk factors include:
- Eyelid abnormalities that leave the cornea exposed to infection
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
- Dry eye syndrome and similar causes of severe dry eyes
Symptoms of Corneal Ulcers
The most important symptoms are:
- Sensation of a foreign body
- Eye pain
- Eye discharge
- Blurred vision
- Increased light sensitivity
If you experience these symptoms, inform your doctor right away. If you’re wearing contact lenses, it is recommended to stop using them and look for medical assistance.
Corneal Ulcer Treatment
As an important step of your diagnosis and management, the optometrist or ophthalmologist will get all of the details, examining the ulcer to determine the location and severity. Treatment include the following measures:
- Topical antibiotics are frequently used in these cases. Sometimes, doctors would also take a sample for cultures in order to specify which microorganism is causing the problem and what antibiotics are more effective against it.
- Recurrent follow-ups every 1 to 3 days during the first phase of the treatment. This will allow doctors to evaluate your response to the current treatment.
When the infection is controlled with topical antibiotics, prognosis is usually very good. However, severe or complicated infections are not very responsive, and may require a longer treatment duration, lasting several weeks, and sometimes months. Some patients are further complicated with glaucoma or cataracts, and permanent visual loss is sometimes a possibility in cases of irreversible scarring. In such cases, patients will be evaluated to receive corneal transplants, after which they require visual rehabilitation.
It’s the right time for clearer vision
Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer all your questions about which procedure is best for you, and ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible. Make an appointment today!
We, at Texas Eye and Cataract will gladly address all of your concerns and questions about corneal ulcers and other severe eye conditions. Our team of specialists will be here to assist you if you ever need a surgical solution to this and any other visual health problem, including cataracts, glaucoma, and ptosis. If you have additional questions about corneal ulcers and need personalized medical attention, do not hesitate to contact us. You can find our centers in different parts of Texas, such as Waxahachie, Mansfield, Corsicana, Ennis, DeSoto, Waco, Red Oak, Midlothian, Lancaster, Ferris, Palmer, Athens, and Cleburne. Or simply fill out an appointment form or make a direct call to our lines at 469-505-2020.
At Texas Eye and Cataract, we know how important it is to see life with clear vision. We understand that being your best means seeing your best.