Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer is a painful wound on the surface of the eye. It is in the cornea which overlays the iris (the colored part of the eye).
The damage is very much same as a scrape or cut on the skin. Over the deeper eye layers the epithelium (a layer of tissues) covers the normal cornea. If the epithelium is damaged it can cause infections which results in perforation of the eye if it is not treated.
The signs of corneal ulcers are squinting, redness, cloudiness, tearing and lethargy. Ulcer on the cornea is identified by a special stain called flourescein.
The causes of corneal ulcers are injuries, abnormal eyelashes that cause irritation in surface, lack of tear production and infections. Some times the exact cause of ulcer is not known. Corneal ulcers are characterized according to location, depth, associated diseases, and its cause.
The depth of ulcer is the base for the treatment. If the corneal ulcers are very deep then surgery is required to prevent or treat a full thickness perforation, whereas some ulcers respond to simple application of medications to reduce infection and pain. Chronic erosions also known as indolent ulcers are superficial and they heal very slowly unless special techniques are performed and sometimes it requires surgery as well.
