Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)

• Injury or chemical burns
• Eyelid disorders that prevent proper functioning of the eyelid
• Dry eyes
• Contact lens wearers
• People who have or have had cold sores, chicken pox or shingles
• Abuse of steroid eye drops
• Diabetics

• Do not sleep with contact lenses on
• Do not overuse contact lenses
• Wash your hands before putting the lenses
• Advised to use daily disposable lenses
• Do not use tap water as lens solution
• While riding a bike, wear eye protection or visor to prevent foreign bodies from entering the eye.
• Do not rub your eye
• Proper instillation of eyedrops. The nozzle of the eye drop bottle should not touch the eye or the finger
• Use artificial tears in case of dry eyes
• Wear protective eyewear when working with wood or metals, especially when using a grinding wheel, hammering on metal, or welding.
• Do not use over-the-counter eye drops

Multiple organisms are responsible for development of a corneal ulcer (keratitis).

The types of corneal ulcer (keratitis) are –

• Bacterial – scratches or abrasion with fingernail, paper cuts, makeup brushes over the cornea when left untreated can lead to an ulcer. common in extended wear contact lens wearers
• Fungal – injury to the cornea with any vegetative matter or improper use of steroid eye drops
• Viral – the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles can cause ulcers too
• Parasitic – infection caused by fresh water, soil or long standing contact lens used

Scratches or abrasions on the cornea caused by bacteria, such as those caused by fingernails, paper cuts, or cosmetics brushes, can progress to ulcers if they are not treated. prevalent in those who wear contact lenses for extended periods of time
Injury to the cornea caused by any type of plant debris or incorrect use of steroid eye drops can lead to fungal infection.

Ulcers can be caused by viruses, such chickenpox and shingles, which are both caused by the same virus.

Infection caused by parasites that live in fresh water, dirt, or contact lenses worn for extended periods of time.

Treatment will begin after lab results are in. Depending on the cause, antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals are started in the form of tablets and eye drops. Large or severe cases of corneal ulcer (keratitis) are treated with fortified eye drops made from injectable formulations. In addition to this, you may also be prescribed oral pain relievers, cycloplegic eye drops (which alleviate pain), anti-glaucoma eye drops (which lower intraocular pressure), and artificial tears. How often you have to do it is proportional to the ulcer’s size. In the case of a corneal ulcer caused by fungi, corticosteroids are never to be used (keratitis). In other forms of ulcers, however, they may be considered later in the course of treatment, though only under close medical supervision.

 In the event of a minor perforation, sterile procedures involve the application of tissue adhesive glue over the wound, followed by the placement of a bandage contact lens. For faster and more complete recovery from recurring epithelial erosions, bandage contact lenses are also employed. Ulcers can develop on the eyelids, thus patients who have eyelid malformations must undergo corrective operations. Keratitis can be caused by an eyelash growing inward, in which case the eyelash and its root must be surgically removed. If it grows back abnormally, the root may need to be killed with a small electric shock. A surgical fusion of the upper and lower lid is performed in cases of incorrect or incomplete lid closure. Patch grafts, in which a whole or partial thickness graft of donor cornea is attached over the perforation site, are also used to treat small perforations.

Operation is the only option for ulcers that don’t cure on their own. To increase corneal thickness and promote healing, a graft of amniotic membrane is placed on the eye in a sterile environment. The corneal transplant procedure comprises the surgical removal of the damaged corneal tissue and its replacement with healthy donor tissue in cases with bigger perforations or severe scarring.

Book appointment with an Ophthalmologist:

• If noticing decrease in vision
• Redness and foreign body sensation
• Discharge
• White spot forming in front of the eye