Symptoms:
Diagnosis:
Treatment:
Medications: Antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops depending on the cause
Corticosteroids: Sometimes used to reduce inflammation (under close supervision)
Debridement: Removal of infected tissue to aid healing
Protective lenses: Bandage contact lenses may be used to protect the cornea
Surgery: In severe cases, a corneal transplant may be needed
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
If you notice severe inflammation or what appears to be an infection on your cornea, you may have a corneal ulcer. Left untreated, this could lead to the development of an open sore on your cornea or lead to corneal scarring, both of which can affect vision in the long term. Clinica London’s experienced specialists understand the signs of a corneal ulcer, meaning we are well-placed to diagnose and provide appropriate treatment options.
We can confront the corneal ulcer question from the two stages of the condition’s development.
In the early stages, a corneal ulcer appears similar to an infection or what seems like severe inflammation of the cornea. The vision is blurred, the eye red and it is often painful. The cornea is the clear window on the front of your eye, serving as a shield against unwanted intrusion. Trauma, the aforementioned infections, and inflammation can damage that shield, leading to cloudiness in the otherwise clear cornea.
Failure to treat this issue during the early stages leads to the formation of an ulcer. The scratch or infection that was apparent earlier develops into an open wound that can cause vision loss of varying degrees, extending scarring and even total vision loss if treatment is delayed.
Clinica London classifies this condition as urgent and serious and recommends that you seek a specialist immediately if you have a slight suspicion that you may develop a corneal ulcer.
Corneal ulcer symptoms can vary in intensity and often develop quickly. The following, both experienced alone or alongside one another, are signs that you may have this condition:
We cannot stress enough that you must seek immediate medical attention from a Clinica London specialist if you notice any of these symptoms. Catching a corneal ulcer developing early allows for better treatment and avoiding future complications.
There are several potential causes of corneal ulcers.
A multitude of infections can result in corneal ulcers. Bacterial infection is one of the most common causes, often due to improper contact lens use or attempting to use contacts that are not correctly fitted to the eye. Viral infections—particularly the herpes simplex virus (HSV)—are also common causes of corneal ulcers.
Rarer, are fungal and parasitic infections. In the latter case, acanthamoeba infections, typically caused by contact with contaminated water, can cause an ulcer. Fungal infections like Aspergillus and Fusarium can result in cornea disease, both commonly associated with some form of physical trauma involving fungal matter.
Speaking of physical trauma, scratches and foreign objects entering your eye can also cause a corneal ulcer. Such injuries create an entry point for an infection. It is not the scratch that causes the ulcer – a scratch is usually referred to as a corneal abrasion – but the weakness it creates in your cornea predisposes it to developing an infection.
Conditions that affect your immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis, do not directly cause corneal ulcers. However, weakening your immune system makes you more susceptible to these ulcers forming. Having an immune-related disorder and scratching your eye can be a dangerous combination.
Your body produces tears to nourish your eye and revitalise your cornea to ensure it offers the protection your eye needs. Dry eye syndrome leads to lower tear production. That insufficiency weakens your cornea, making it susceptible to damage and potentially opening the door for a corneal ulcer to form.
Though both conditions affect your cornea, an ulcer differs significantly from an abrasion. To complicate matters, a corneal abrasion – usually a small scratch on your cornea – can become a corneal ulcer if the scratch enables an infection to enter your eye. We have discussed the differences in corneal ulcer vs. abrasion before, but the following table outlines the key differences:
Corneal Ulcer | Corneal Abrasion | |
Cause | Typically, it is an infection or severe inflammation, though both can be aided by issues such as immune conditions or physical trauma. | Superficial scratches – often caused by contact with a foreign object – or similar trauma that injures your cornea. |
Appearance | Cloudiness of the cornea is common in a corneal ulcer. You may also experience a pus discharge. | Minimal physical difference, though you may notice some reddening of the affected eye. |
Symptoms | Severe eye pain and redness are common with a corneal ulcer. Discharge can also occur, and you may physically see a white or grey spot in your eye. | Pain and constant tearing are common, as it increases sensitivity to light. |
Severity | Very high severity – a corneal ulcer can lead to eye scarring and even vision loss. | Low severity as long as the abrasion is identified and treated appropriately. |
Treatment | Corneal ulcer treatment usuallyinvolves an aggressive antibiotic or antifungal, depending on the ulcer’s cause. | Lubricating eye drops are the most common treatment. Your Clinica London specialist may prescribe antibiotics if your situation warrants them. |
Though it is clear that a corneal abrasion is not as severe as an ulcer, both are conditions that can have a long-term impact on your eye health. An abrasion can become an ulcer if the scratch becomes infected. If you suspect either condition, consult a Clinica London specialist immediately.
The cornea is the clear, round, domed covering of the front of the eye, in front of the iris and the pupil. It is transparent, and through it, you can see the person’s iris and pupil. It helps to focus light as it enters the eye and directs light through the pupil to the retina, then the brain, so that you can see clearly. The cornea is very tough and helps to protect the inside of the eye from the outside world. It has various cellular layers starting at the front with a corneal epithelium. This consists of clear epithelial cells without any keratin, and it has a strong, deep layer of the epithelium called the Bowman’s layer.
A corneal abrasion is, in fact, corneal epithelial abrasion and is usually only affecting the superficial layer of the cornea. The main bulk of the cornea is called the stroma, which is made up of clear collagen fibres. Next to the stroma is another strong membrane called Descemet’s membrane. Just beyond Descemet’s membrane is a single layer of endothelial cells, which have a high metabolism and help to provide nutrients to the deeper part of the cornea.
Appropriate treatment provided in a timely manner is vital to ensuring you move through the corneal ulcer healing stages as quickly as possible. The following treatments also prevent further complications—such as permanent vision loss—from occurring as a result of your corneal ulcer.
The medication your Clinica London specialist prescribes will vary depending on the cause of your corneal ulcer. Antibiotic drops are required in cases of bacterial infection, and antifungal drops are used in cases where the ulcer results from trauma involving organic material. If the ulcer is the result of a virus—such as HSV—your specialist may also recommend antiviral medication.
Corticosteroids may be prescribed in cases where inflammation is severe enough to require intervention. This corneal ulcer treatment is always administered under careful supervision by a Clinica London specialist.
Corneal ulcers may result in damaged or infected tissue around your eye. Your Clinica London specialist may use a debridement treatment – the physical removal of such tissue from the ulcer’s surface – to alleviate this issue. Debridement is usually conducted as part of an eye exam.
In addition to treating your primary corneal ulcer, we may recommend using a bandage contact lens. Placed over your eye, the lens serves as a shield to promote healing and prevent unwanted objects from interfering with it.
Surgical intervention may be necessary in severe cases where a corneal ulcer significantly damages the cornea. A corneal transplant replaces the damaged eye tissue and restores vision should the ulcer impact one’s ability to see.
You will undergo three corneal ulcer healing stages, some occurring during treatment and others after your treatment round concludes. The nature of these stages varies depending on factors such as your ulcer’s severity and the specific treatment prescribed.
Size, depth, and the underlying cause of your corneal ulcer all affect your progress through these stages. Minor ulcers tend to heal within a few weeks, though in more severe cases, corneal ulcer treatment may take several months to have its full effects.
Once you have your corneal ulcer treatment plan from your Clinica London specialist, a self-care regimen covering the following points can speed up your recovery:
When you can wear contact lenses again, practice good contact hygiene. Regular cleaning and avoiding extended wear limit the possibility of a corneal ulcer developing again.
We recommend seeking an eye specialist if you notice any of the corneal ulcer symptoms discussed earlier. These include sudden and severe eye pain, worsening redness, persistent pus discharge, and white or grey spots forming on your cornea. Do not delay treatment. Doing so could lead to scarring or further infection as well as put you at risk of permanent vision loss.
Corneal ulcers require prompt treatment to prevent complications, but in some cases, severe infections or extensive scarring may lead to permanent vision impairment. When conventional treatments are not sufficient, a Corneal Transplant can offer a long-term solution, replacing the damaged cornea with healthy donor tissue. If you are struggling with persistent symptoms or need expert advice on the best course of action, our team is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your options.
Infections are the most common cause, though physical trauma and even dry eyes can contribute to the formation of corneal ulcers.
Typical corneal ulcer treatment includes rounds of antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal drops, depending on the ulcer’s cause. Surgical intervention – such as debridement – may also be necessary.
No – a corneal ulcer will only get worse over time. Prompt medical treatment is a must to reverse the damage an ulcer causes and to restore your cornea.
The time required to move through the corneal ulcer healing stages varies from a few weeks to several months, based on the ulcer’s severity.
At Clinica London, we have two Oculoplastic specialist surgeons, (also known as oculofacial plastic surgeons); Miss Michelle Ting and Miss Jane Olver. Their training and experience enable them to maintain and restore eyelid function and natural eye appearance through their delicate oculofacial plastic surgery skills.
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
Getting the right treatment for myopia now could prevent serious eye problems later in your life. To find out more about the available treatments for myopia, book a consultation.
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