Corneal ulcers are open sores on your cornea
This serious condition must be treated promptly to avoid permanent vision problems
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Corneal ulcers can be very worrying and painful
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The front portion of the eye is covered with a thin, transparent membrane called the cornea, which protects the interior of the eye. If there is a break or defect in the surface layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, and damage to the underlying stroma occurs, a corneal ulcer results. The ulcer is usually caused by microorganisms, which gain access to the stroma through the break in the epithelium.
Corneal ulcers generally heal well if treated early and aggressively. However, if neglected, corneal clouding and even perforation (a hole in the cornea) may develop, resulting in serious loss of vision and possibly loss of the eye. Corneal ulcers are a serious vision-threatening condition and require prompt medical attention.
Symptoms of corneal ulcers
- Watery eyes
- Acute pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
- The feeling that there’s something in your eye
- Discharge from the eye
Corneal ulcers are caused by:
Infection- Wearing contact lenses for excessive periods
- Inadequate contact lens sterilization
- Eye injury
- Lack of tear production
- Complications of herpes simplex keratitis, neurotrophic keratitis, chronic blepharitis, conjunctivitis, trachoma, bullous keratopathy and cicatricial pemphigoid
- Vitamin A deficiency or protein malnutrition
- Eyelid abnormalities
If there is a break or defect in the surface layer of the cornea, a corneal ulcer results
Corneal ulcers are a serious vision-threatening condition and require prompt medical attention. If left unattended, corneal ulcers may penetrate the cornea allowing infection to enter the eyeball, which can cause permanent loss of vision and possible loss of the eye.
Your eye doctor can identify corneal ulcers by examining your eyes with magnifying instruments and performing a culture study to identify infection. Your doctor will check your eye, including under your eyelid, to make sure there are no foreign materials present. Depending on the initial exam, we may use fluorescein dye to identify the corneal defects. We may also perform a test called the Seidel test (painting the wound with dye and observing for leakage) to uncover possible deeper injuries.
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Dr. Bennett Chotiner is the founder and medical director of Memorial Eye Institute. A noted innovator, in 1977 he established his clinical practice, the Pennsylvania Eye Associates. In 1984, he established the Pennsylvania Eye Surgery Center, Pennsylvania’s first …
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