Corneal Ulcers

A corneal ulcer is a serious eye condition that affects the clear, outer layer of your eye, known as the cornea. The cornea plays a crucial role in focusing your vision, and when it becomes damaged or infected, it can lead to painful symptoms and potentially threaten your eyesight if not treated promptly.

What Causes Corneal Ulcers?
Corneal ulcers are usually caused by infections, which can be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic. Common sources of these infections include contact lens misuse, eye injuries, or underlying conditions like dry eye syndrome or eyelid disorders. Poor hygiene with contact lenses, such as wearing them overnight or not cleaning them properly, significantly increases the risk of developing a corneal ulcer.

Symptoms to Watch For
If you have a corneal ulcer, you may experience:

• Severe eye pain
• Redness in the eye
• A feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation)
• Blurred or reduced vision
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Excessive tearing or discharge from the eye

These symptoms can worsen quickly, so it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as you notice any signs of a corneal ulcer.

Diagnosis and Treatment
At Sri Nirwana Netralaya Eye Hospital, we use advanced diagnostic tools to accurately identify corneal ulcers and determine the underlying cause. Treatment depends on the type of infection or cause of the ulcer. Bacterial ulcers are usually treated with antibiotic eye drops, while viral or fungal ulcers require specific antiviral or antifungal medications.

In severe cases, or when the ulcer does not respond to medication, surgery might be needed. This could involve a corneal transplant, where the damaged portion of the cornea is replaced with healthy tissue from a donor.

Preventing Corneal Ulcers
The best way to prevent corneal ulcers is by practicing good eye hygiene. If you wear contact lenses, always clean them properly, avoid wearing them overnight, and replace them as recommended by your eye care provider. Protect your eyes from injury by wearing safety glasses when needed, and avoid rubbing your eyes with dirty hands.