DEFINITION
Cornea ulcers are open sores in the lining of the outer cornea. The clear structure overlying the iris, which is the colored part of your eye.
CAUSE
SYMPTOMS - Ulcers are usually formed by:
- Bacterial infections cause corneal ulcers and are common in people who wear contact lenses.
- Viral infections are also possible causes of corneal ulcers. Such viruses include the herpes simplex virus (the virus that causes cold sores) or the varicella virus (the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles).
- Fungal infections can cause corneal ulcers and may develop with improper care of contact lenses or the overuse of eyedrops that contain steroids.
- Lack of vitamin A or protein.
- Dry eyes (due to the eyelid does not close completely and moisten the cornea).
Corneal ulcers cause pain, sensitive to light (fotofobia) and increased formation of tears, all of which can be mild.
Corneal spots will appear yellow pus discharge.
Corneal spots will appear yellow pus discharge.
Sometimes ulcers formed in the surface of the cornea and penetrate into the eye.
Pus may be formed on the back of the cornea.
The deeper the ulcer is formed, then the symptoms and complications more severe.
Pus may be formed on the back of the cornea.
The deeper the ulcer is formed, then the symptoms and complications more severe.
Other symptoms are:
- Visual impairment
- Red eye
- Itchy eyes
- Dirt eyes.
- Visual impairment
- Red eye
- Itchy eyes
- Dirt eyes.
With treatment, corneal ulcers can be cured but may be leaving the cloudy fibers that cause the formation of scar tissue and disturb the function of vision.
Other complications are infection in the deeper cornea, corneal perforation (hole formation), abnormal location of the iris and eye damage.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on symptoms and results of eye examination.
Diagnosis based on symptoms and results of eye examination.
- The sharpness of vision
- Test refraction
- Test tears
- Slit-lamp examination
- Keratometri (measurement of corneal)
- Pupillary reflex response
- Scratch ulcer for analysis or culture
- Corneal staining with fluorescent substances.
TREATMENT
Topical fortified antibiotics are used at hourly intervals to treat infectious corneal ulcers. Cycloplegic eye drops are applied to give rest to the eye.Pain medications are given as needed. Loose epithelium and ulcer base can be scraped off and sent for culture sensitivity studies to find out the pathogenic organism. This helps in choosing appropriate antibiotics. Complete healing takes anywhere from about a few weeks to several months.
Refractory corneal ulcers can take a long time to heal, sometimes months. In case of progressive or non-healing ulcers, surgical intervention by an ophthalmologist with corneal transplantation may be required to save the eye. In all corneal ulcers it is important to rule out predisposing factors like diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency.
Refractory corneal ulcers can take a long time to heal, sometimes months. In case of progressive or non-healing ulcers, surgical intervention by an ophthalmologist with corneal transplantation may be required to save the eye. In all corneal ulcers it is important to rule out predisposing factors like diabetes mellitus and immunodeficiency.
Corneal ulcer is an emergency that must be handle by the eye specialist in order to avoid a more severe injury to the cornea.
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