Corneal Ulcers

A Corneal ulcer can form after trauma to the cornea, because of eyelid disease or severe dry eye, secondary to infections with fungus, herpes simplex viral infections, and other causes.

There are two very common types of corneal ulcers.  Bacterial ulcers tend to be the most painful type of corneal ulcer, and in some cases, if left untreated, can cause severe damage or even corneal perforation. Sterile ulcers, on the other hand, usually cause little or no pain but can be equally devastating to vision.

Corneal ulcers are very common with improper contact lens use.  They are usually seen in patients who sleep in their contacts and those who wear them beyond the time limits recommended by their eye care professional in an effort to save money.

The symptoms of corneal ulcers may include:

pain
redness
blurred vision
tearing
discharge
sensitivity to light


Treatment for corneal ulcers depends on the cause. It usually includes steroid eye drops, anti-inflammatory drops, or antibiotics. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary in order to administer eye drops every hour around the clock, intravenous antibiotics, and other treatments. In rare cases when the cornea is severely damaged, a corneal transplant may be necessary to improve vision.