5 Things You Need to Know About Corneal Ulcer

1. Corneal Ulcers 101

The cornea is the clear outer layer that protects the front of the eye. Corneal ulcers, also known as keratitis, usually affect one eye at a time. This condition happens when bacteria or parasites enter the eye through the body, causing inflammation or an abrasion on the eye. Contact lens-wearers tend to have the highest risk of developing a corneal ulcer. The high water content of soft contact lenses, plus improper cleaning and handling make it easy for bacteria or an infection to infiltrate the eye. Dirt or any other foreign object on the lenses can also cause problems. Changes in the body's immune system, such as those that occur from the herpes simplex virus or respiratory infections, can also lead to corneal ulcers. You are also susceptible to corneal ulcers if you suffer from dry eyes or if you've experienced any eye trauma, such as a poke in the eye.

2. Vision Problems Affect Daily Life

Corneal ulcers generate nuisance symptoms that make it hard for you to focus on daily activities. Corneal ulcer symptoms include redness, pain or a feeling of something in the eye or white spots on the corneal surface that you may not notice. Tearing and unusual discharge, sensitivity to light and blurred vision are also red flags and if you experience them, seek an exam from an ophthalmologist.

3. Get Diagnosed With a Little Scrape

With the slit lamp test, a doctor uses a special microscope with a light to thoroughly examine every part of your eye, including the lens, iris and the cornea. The doctor will also use eye drops containing dye to make it easier to detect infection. The culture, or biopsy, is performed by numbing the eye with special eye drops. Then, he uses an instrument to scrape cells from the cornea to test for an ulcer.

4. Seek Aggressive Treatment

The ophthalmologist will prescribe antibacterial, anti-inflammatory or steroid drops, depending on the severity of the condition. Following the doctor's orders is vital as corneal ulcers can cause blindness if mistreated or left untreated. With medicine, the corneal ulcer disappears within three weeks. However, if the ulcer is more serious, you may require hospitalization. In this case, treatment can involve antibiotics and eye therapy to relieve eye strain or reduce vision problems. If the ulcer doesn't improve with the other aggressive treatments, you may need a corneal transplant.

5. Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Save your eyesight by wearing safety glasses when working in an environment where particles can infiltrate your eyes. Or, combat dry eye problems by using rewetting drops or artificial tears. If you're a contact lens-wearer, remember to wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off. Clean and store the lenses in a disinfecting solution overnight. Sleeping in your contact lenses is not recommended as doing so can breed a bacterial infection.