What are Corneal ulcers and their causes?
What is the cause of corneal ulcers?
Corneal ulcers are a kind of infection that happens when your cornea undergoes any traumatic condition. In general, corneal ulcers are caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses that affect the clear white area of the eye. Did you know conjunctivitis or pink eyes are one of the symptoms of a corneal ulcer? Hold on to this blog to get helpful information on corneal ulcers.
A corneal ulcer is also known as Keratitis and should be treated without any delay. If left untreated, corneal ulcers can lead to blindness and damage your vision permanently. Have you ever wondered what probably could be the reason behind this condition? Our specialists say the primary cause of corneal cancer is unhygienic and improper use of contact lenses. Let’s learn a little about the Cornea. Your cornea acts as a window letting light enter your eyes. Also, the tears in your eyes prevent the cornea from different bacteria, fungi and viral infections. Therefore, if there is damage to the cornea, fungal infections develop, creating a sore in your eyes.
What does a corneal ulcer look like?
The common symptoms of corneal ulcer are-
- Itchy eyes
- Pus-like discharge from eyes
- Burning sensation in eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Pink or red eye
- Sore eye
- Blurry vision
Moreover, people who wear contact lenses are at a higher risk of corneal ulcers. One of the reasons for corneal ulcers is the usage of the same lens for weeks. Improper hygiene of lenses can lead to infections which can affect the functioning of the cornea. Even though your symptoms are minimal, taking an expert’s help is always a better choice.
Can corneal ulcers cause blindness?
If your cornea has permanent scars or damages, it can lead to permanent loss of vision. Corneal ulcers may result in blindness if not treated properly. If you don’t seek professional help at the right time, corneal ulcers can lead to permanent loss of vision.
Treatment for corneal ulcer
In most cases, the treatment depends on the cause and severity of the ulcer you have. Further, you will be prescribed an antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal eye drops to minimise the corneal ulcer. If the medication doesn’t work out, our specialists will advise you to get corneal transplantation to replace your cornea with a healthy one. Further, you will be guided with the best expert treatment to cure your corneal ulcer at Maxivision.
In conclusion, you should consider a corneal ulcer as a medical emergency even if the symptoms are not that severe. Our specialists say, if you don’t act quickly, the infection can spread to the whole eye. Corneal cancer can also lead to glaucoma and cataracts. You can also lose some or lose your whole sight. Moreover, with proper treatment and proper hygiene, your corneal ulcer can be cured within 2 to 3 weeks. For more expert suggestions and the right treatment, book an appointment with our eye specialists now.