Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)

About Corneal Ulcer

Corneal ulcers are a type of inflammation of the cornea. They are typically caused by infection, but can also be caused by injury. With immediate treatment, most ulcers can be treated without vision loss. But if the infection is left untreated or is too severe, ulcers can permanently harm your eyes.

Causes:

  • Eye injury
  • Dirty contact lenses
  • Viruses
  • Dirty water

Risk Factors:

  • Reduced immunity
  • Warm climate
  • Corticosteroid eye drops
  • Eye injury
  • Contact lenses

To reduce the risk of corneal ulcers:

  • Do not wear contact lenses while swimming or for longer than recommended
  • Always clean lenses properly with the correct solution
  • Avoid bathing in rivers or dirty water

The symptoms of the corneal ulcer are:

  • Red eyes
  • Eye pain
  • More tears than normal
  • Difficulty opening your eyelid
  • More sensitive to light
  • Feeling like something is in your eye
  • Blurry vision

Treatment for corneal ulcers depends on the cause of the infection. Antibacterial and antifungal eye drops may treat diseases caused by bacteria or fungi. Antiviral eye drops can be used for ulcers caused by viruses. However, these are not a “cure” and the virus may return.

If your ulcer does not respond to medicine, your doctor may suggest a corneal transplantation