Corneal Eye Ulcers

Identification

• According to EMedicineHealth.com, a corneal eye ulcer is defined as an open sore or lesion directly on the cornea of the eye. The cornea is the clear part of the eye, which is the overlay of the iris (the colored part of the eye).

Symptoms

• A corneal eye ulcer is a painful condition that can cause symptoms including redness of the eye, tearing, the feeling that something is stuck in the eye, blurry vision, discharge or drainage of pus from the eye, swollen eyelids and pain when attempting to look directly at bright lights. A corneal eye ulcer may also cause the area of the cornea to appear white or gray. This can be visible with the naked eye if the ulcer is large.

Causes

• While there are many possible causes of a corneal eye ulcer, some of the most common causes may include injury, eye disorders that cause dry eyes, chemical burns and conditions that cause a loss of sensation in the eyes. Bacterial infections are a common cause of corneal eye ulcers, especially among those who wear contact lenses on a daily basis. Viral infections are another possible cause of corneal eye ulcers. The two most common viral infections that cause corneal ulcers are the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores, and the varicella virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. People who wear contact lenses are at an increased risk of developing corneal eye ulcers, because fungal infections may develop with improper care of contacts or the overuse of steroid eye drops.

Diagnosis

• In order to diagnose corneal eye ulcers, your ophthalmologist will examine your eye using a slit lamp. A slit lamp is a special microscope that can detect a corneal eye ulcer. The ophthalmologist may take a sample of the ulcer, in order to identify any infection that may be present.

Treatment

• Treatment may include medication to treat corneal eye ulcers that are caused by infection. This is usually antibiotic eye drops that are placed in the eye. Eye drops that dilate the eye may be prescribed to help control the pain associated with corneal ulcers, as well as oral pain medication. Most ophthalmologists recommend the removal of contact lenses until the eye is healed. Severe corneal eye ulcers may require a hospital stay.

Prognosis

• According to MedlinePlus, corneal eye ulcers can be a serious condition that causes permanent damage to the cornea. If left untreated, a corneal ulcer can cause a perforation in the eye, which may result in the spread of infection. Other possible complications of corneal eye ulcers may include severe loss of vision, visible scars on the cornea and the loss of the eye.