Corneal Ulcer

Corneal Ulcer Overview

A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea, the thin clear structure overlying the iris, which is the colored part of your eye.

Corneal Ulcer Causes

• Most corneal ulcers are caused by infections.

• Tiny tears to the cornea may also cause corneal ulcers. These tears can come from direct trauma; scratches; or particles, such as sand, glass, or small pieces of steel. Such injuries damage the cornea and make it easier for bacteria to invade and cause a serious ulcer.

• Disorders that cause dry eyes can leave your eye without the germ-fighting protection of tears and cause ulcers.

• Disorders that affect the eyelid and prevent your eye from closing completely, such as Bell's palsy, can dry your cornea and make it more vulnerable to ulcers.

• Chemical burns or other caustic (damaging) solution splashes can injure the cornea.

• People who wear contact lenses are at an increased risk of corneal ulcers. In fact, your risk of corneal ulcerations increases 10-fold when using extended-wear soft contact lenses. Extended-wear contact lenses are those contact lenses that are worn for several days without removing them at night. Contact lenses can damage your cornea in many ways.

Corneal Ulcer Symptoms

• Red eye
• Severe pain
• Feeling that something is in your eye
• Tears
• Pus or thick discharge draining from your eye
• Blurry vision
• Pain when looking at bright lights
• Swollen eyelids
• A white round spot on the cornea that is visible with the naked eye if the ulcer is very large

When to Seek Medical Care

• Change in vision
  
  
• Severe pain
  
  
• Feeling that there is something in your eye
  
  
• Obvious discharge draining from your eye
  
  
• History of scratches to the eye or exposure to chemicals or flying particles

Exams and Tests

Because corneal ulcers are a serious problem, you should see your ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery).

• Your ophthalmologist will be able to detect if you have an ulcer by using a special eye microscope, known as a slit lamp. To make the ulcer easier to see, he or she will put a drop containing the dye fluorescein into your eye.

• If your ophthalmologist thinks that an infection is responsible for the ulcer, he or she may then get samples of the ulcer to send to the laboratory for identification.