Corneal Ulcer Symptoms: What You Need to Know
‘Corneal’ roughly relates to the cornea of your eye, and ‘Ulcer’ means an open sore.
In simple words, Corneal Ulcer is an open sore in the cornea’s outer layer.
According to the Lancet Global Health, different Corneal ulcers cause blindness and visual impairment in 4.3 million people worldwide yearly.
Usually, Corneal Ulcer symptoms develop in one eye only. However, they can spread to other eye parts, also.
Read this article to get an insight into the symptoms of Corneal Ulcer.
Corneal ulcer symptoms
There are not one but many marginal and significant eye ulcer symptoms.
At first, a Corneal Ulcer may seem like Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye.
However, you can differentiate as there are other alarming symptoms of Corneal Ulcer that you can notice along with pink eye.
Eye pain
The Corneal Ulceration eye pain is not just a simple eye strain or irritation; it’s more than that.
Depending upon the severity of the Corneal Ulcer, the eye pain can range from mild to severe.
If it is severe, one may feel a sharp and throbbing pain.
Red eye
It is one of the most common Corneal Ulceration symptoms seen in humans.
Commonly known as bloodshot eyes, the red color is prominently visible in Corneal Ulcer.
Pus or other eye discharge
You can see white-yellow, yellow, yellow-brown, or similar colors of thick fluid discharge from the eyes.
These discharges accumulate behind the cornea. It can sometimes result in the formation of a white layer at the bottom of the cornea.
Watery eye
A watery eye means when you shed abnormal tears.
A person can have a watery eye because of Corneal Ulcer. However, other mild diseases can also be the reason behind this.
Sensitivity to light
A person with Corneal Ulcer may experience pain when looking at bright lights. It is also known as photophobia.
It can be so severe that one may need to wear sunglasses indoors.
White or gray spot in the eye
A spot of either white color or gray color is another symptom of Corneal Ulcer.
People who have Corneal Ulcers can notice a white or gray spot on the cornea.
The shapes and sizes of these spots can vary.
Sometimes, it can be so tiny that only your Ophthalmologist or Optometrist can confirm it with an eye exam.
Blurred vision
A blurred or cloudy vision can hamper a person’s daily life because of the watery eyes caused due to this disease.
If the Ulcer in the eyes is located more centrally, there is a high chance that one can have blurred vision.
Swollen eyelids
The eyelids can swell due to excess amounts of tears.
The eyelid tissues can have inflammatory reactions, resulting in a swollen eyelid.
Who is more prone to get these symptoms?
Anyone can get these symptoms because of injury or other such reasons.
But you are more prone to get these symptoms if you:
- Regularly wear contact lenses, especially when asleep
- Use steroid eye drops or other medications without doctor consultation
- Have Lagophthalmos (whose eyelids don’t close all the way)
- Have dry eyes (this mainly happens to older people)
- Have diabetes
- Have a history of eye surgeries
- Have had chickenpox, shingles, or cold sores
Conclusion
Corneal Ulcer has several common symptoms as Pink Eye but doesn’t mistake it for that.
This disease can be treated quickly and cured within a few weeks.
However, to prevent blindness and cure it completely, timely treatment of Corneal Ulcers is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the start of a Corneal Ulcer look like?
Corneal Ulcer’s primary symptoms are red and watery eyes, itchiness, and eye pain. A person having these symptoms can also notice white or gray spots in the cornea.
How serious is a Corneal Ulcer?
Corneal Ulcer is stated as a medical emergency. If it is not treated at the right time, it can spread to other parts of the eye, leading to blindness.
How do you get rid of a Corneal Ulcer?
Doctor consultation is needed to treat Corneal ulcers. The doctor may prescribe certain antibacterial medications to treat Corneal Ulcers.
How fast do eye Ulcers heal?
Depending on the severity of the eye Ulcers, the healing period can range from 3-7 days to 2-3 weeks.
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