Contact lenses, injuries, disorders, drugs, and nutritional deficiencies can 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.
(See also Introduction to Corneal Disorders Introduction to Corneal Disorders The cornea is the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil. It protects the iris and lens and helps focus light on the retina. It is composed of cells, protein, and fluid. The cornea looks... read more and Herpes Simplex Keratitis 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. Eye pain, tearing, redness, a feeling... read more 
.)
An Inside Look at the Eye
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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. Eye pain, tearing, redness, a feeling... read more ) 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.
When the eyelids do not close properly, the cornea may become dry and irritated. This kind of irritation can lead to injury and the development of a corneal ulcer. Corneal ulcers may also result from in-growing eyelashes (trichiasis Trichiasis Trichiasis is misalignment of eyelashes, which rub against the eyeball, in a person who does not have entropion. Trichiasis develops most commonly some time after chronic blepharitis (inflammation... read more ), an in-turned eyelid (entropion Entropion and Ectropion Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid is turned inward (inverted), causing the eyelashes to rub against the eyeball. Ectropion is a condition in which the eyelid is turned outward (everted)... read more 
), or eyelid inflammation (blepharitis Blepharitis Blepharitis is inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, possibly with thickening scales, crusts, shallow ulcers, or redness and swelling at the edges of the eyelids. The inflammation is caused... read more 
).
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.
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? 
(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 |
|---|---|
atropine |
ATROPEN |
scopolamine |
TRANSDERM SCOP |
