- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- What causes corneal ulcer
- How the treatment is done
- When surgery is necessary
- What is the treatment time
- How to prevent the appearance of an ulcer
Corneal ulcer is a wound that arises in the cornea of the eye and causes inflammation, generating symptoms such as pain, feeling of something stuck in the eye or blurred vision, for example. Generally, it is still possible to identify a small whitish spot in the eye or redness that does not go away.
Usually, a corneal ulcer is caused by an infection in the eye, but it can also happen due to other factors such as small cuts, dry eye, contact with irritating substances or problems with the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Corneal ulcers are curable, but treatment should be started as soon as possible to prevent the damage from getting worse over time. Thus, whenever a corneal ulcer or any other problem in the eye is suspected, it is very important to consult an ophthalmologist to identify the correct diagnosis and begin the appropriate treatment.
Check out 7 diseases that can be identified through the eyes.
Main symptoms
Usually, a corneal ulcer causes redness in the eye that does not pass or the appearance of a whitish spot. However, other symptoms can also include:
- Pain or feeling of sand in the eye; Excessive production of tears; Presence of pus or swelling in the eye; Blurry vision; Sensitivity to light; Swelling of the eyelids.
If signs of changes in the eyes appear, it is very important to consult an ophthalmologist to identify if there is a problem that needs to be treated. Although corneal ulcers can be treated easily, if left untreated, it can cause complete loss of vision and blindness.
Corneal redness is known as keratitis and is not always caused by a corneal ulcer. Check out other possible causes for keratitis.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of corneal ulcer must be made by an ophthalmologist through an examination that uses a special microscope to assess the structures of the eye. During this examination, the doctor can also apply a dye that facilitates the observation of wounds in the eye, facilitating the discovery of an ulcer.
If the ulcer is identified, the doctor usually also removes some cells close to the ulcer to identify if there are bacteria, viruses or fungi that may be causing an infection. This process is usually done with local anesthesia in the eye, to reduce discomfort.
What causes corneal ulcer
In most cases, the corneal ulcer is caused by an infection by viruses, fungi or bacteria, which ends up causing inflammation and damage to the structures of the eye. However, minor scratches and other trauma to the eye, caused by removing contact lenses or dust entering the eye, can also cause a corneal ulcer.
In addition, dry eye syndrome, as well as eyelid problems, such as Bell's palsy, can also cause an ulcer, due to excessive dryness of the eye.
People with autoimmune diseases, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, are also at increased risk of developing a corneal ulcer, as the body can begin to destroy eye cells, for example.
How the treatment is done
The first treatment option for a corneal ulcer is usually the use of antibiotics or antifungals, to eliminate a possible infection by bacteria or fungi. These antibiotics can be prescribed in the form of eye drops or ophthalmic ointments and should be applied 2 to 3 times a day, or according to the ophthalmologist's instructions.
In addition, anti-inflammatory eye drops, such as Ketorolac tromethamine, or even corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, Dexamethasone or Fluocinolone, can also be used to decrease inflammation, prevent the appearance of more corneal scars and relieve symptoms, especially discomfort, sensitivity to light and blurred vision.
If the ulcer is caused by another disease, one should try to make the most appropriate treatment to control the disease, as it is the only way to prevent the development of the ulcer, even if anti-inflammatory eye drops are used.
When surgery is necessary
Corneal ulcer surgery is usually done to replace an injured cornea with a healthy one and is usually done on people who, even after proper treatment, continue with a scar that prevents them from seeing correctly.
However, if the ulcer is not healing properly, and there is no disease that may be aggravating the ulcer, surgery may also be indicated by the doctor.
What is the treatment time
The treatment time varies from case to case, depending on the size, location and depth of the ulcer. In most cases, less severe ulcers should improve in 2 to 3 weeks, but treatment can be continued for longer to ensure that scars are not formed that can impair vision.
How to prevent the appearance of an ulcer
Corneal ulcer can be prevented, especially when it is not caused by another disease. Thus, some important precautions include:
- Wear eye protection glasses whenever using power tools that can release dust or small pieces of metal, for example; Use moisturizing eye drops if you often have dry eyes; Wash your hands thoroughly before putting on contact lenses; Caring for and correctly placing contact lenses in the eye. Here's how to care for contact lenses; Do not wear contact lenses while sleeping, especially when worn all day; Avoid exposure to small particles, released by dust, smoke or chemicals;
In addition, and since infections are a major cause of corneal ulcer, it is also recommended to wash your hands frequently, especially before you touch your eyes, to avoid carrying viruses, fungi or bacteria that can damage your eye.
See also 7 essential daily cares to take care of the eyes and avoid the appearance of problems.
