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Corneal Ulcer

By

Melvin I. Roat

, MD, FACS, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Reviewed/Revised Aug 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil) that is usually caused by an eye infection.

  • Contact lenses, injuries, disorders, drugs, and nutritional deficiencies can also cause open sores (ulcers) to form on the cornea.

  • Ache, foreign body sensation (the ache and foreign body sensation can be severe), redness, tearing, and light sensitivity are common symptoms.

  • Doctors diagnose an ulcer based on the appearance of the person's cornea.

  • Antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops are usually given as soon as possible.

Causes of Corneal Ulcer

Corneal ulcers may be caused by infections with bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites such as Acanthamoeba (which lives in contaminated water). Ulcers may begin with a corneal injury, such as with severe dry eyes, if a foreign object scratches, penetrates, or lodges in the eye or, more often, if the eye is irritated by a contact lens, especially when contact lenses are worn during sleep or are not adequately disinfected (see Care and complications Care and complications of contact lenses Refractive errors can be corrected with glass or plastic lenses mounted in a frame (eyeglasses) or with a small lens made of plastic floating or resting on the cornea (contact lens). Good vision... read more ). Viral corneal ulcers (often due to herpesvirus Herpes Simplex Keratitis Herpes simplex keratitis is an eye infection that involves the cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil) and is caused by herpes simplex virus. The infection commonly recurs and... read more Herpes Simplex Keratitis ) can be triggered to recur by physical stress or may recur spontaneously. A deficiency of vitamin A and protein may lead to the formation of a corneal ulcer. However, such ulcers are rare in the United States.

Symptoms of Corneal Ulcer

Corneal ulcers cause redness, pain, usually a feeling like a foreign object is in the eye (foreign body sensation), aching, sensitivity to bright light, and increased tear production. The ulcer often appears as a white or dull and grayish spot on the cornea. Sometimes, ulcers develop over the entire cornea and may penetrate deeply. Pus may accumulate behind the cornea, sometimes forming a white layer at the bottom of the cornea (called a hypopyon). The conjunctiva usually is bloodshot. The deeper the ulcer, the more severe the symptoms and complications.

The Cornea, Pupil, and Iris
VIDEO

Complications of corneal ulcer

Corneal ulcers may heal with treatment, but they may leave a cloudy scar that impairs vision.

Other complications may include deep-seated infection, perforation of the cornea, displacement of the iris, and destruction of most or all of the tissue in the eye socket.

Diagnosis of Corneal Ulcer

  • An eye examination

  • Sometimes cultures

Doctors evaluate the ulcer by using a slit lamp What Is a Slit Lamp? What Is a Slit Lamp? (an instrument that enables doctors to examine the eye under high magnification). To see an ulcer clearly, a doctor may apply eye drops that contain a yellow-green dye called fluorescein. The fluorescein temporarily stains damaged areas of the cornea, making it possible for the doctor to see damaged areas of the cornea that are not otherwise visible.

In some situations, doctors scrape the surface of large ulcers for a sample. The sample is then grown in a laboratory (cultured) to identify the bacterium, fungus, virus, or protozoa causing the infection. Once the organism is identified, doctors choose the best drug to fight the infection.

Treatment of Corneal Ulcer

  • Antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops

  • Drops that dilate the eye

  • Sometimes transplantation of the cornea

A corneal ulcer is an emergency that should be treated immediately.

Antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops are usually needed immediately and must be given frequently, sometimes every hour around the clock for several days.

Drops that dilate the eye, such as atropine or scopolamine, can help with pain and reduce the chance of complications.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
AK-Fluor, Bio Glo, Fluorescite, Fluorets , Fluor-I-Strip, Fluor-I-Strip A.T., Ful-Glo, Ophthalmicflur
A Mulsin, Aquasol A, Dofsol-A
Atreza, Atropine Care , Atropisol , Isopto Atropine, Ocu-Tropine, Sal-Tropine
Isopto Hyoscine, Maldemar, Scopace, Transderm Scop
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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