இந்தப் பக்கத்தின் விரிவான மருத்துவத் தகவல் தற்போது ஆங்கிலத்தில் உள்ளது — தமிழ் மொழிபெயர்ப்பு மருத்துவர் சரிபார்ப்புடன் விரைவில் வரும்.
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea, the clear dome covering the front of the eye. It is most often caused by an infection — bacterial, fungal, viral, or rarely parasitic — that takes hold after an injury, contact lens misuse, or other damage to the eye surface. Because the cornea is essential for clear vision, a corneal ulcer is considered a genuine eye emergency that needs prompt treatment.
Symptoms
- Significant eye pain, often severe
- Redness of the eye
- Blurred or reduced vision
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Excessive tearing or discharge from the eye
- A feeling of something in the eye (foreign body sensation)
- A visible white or greyish spot on the cornea
- Swollen eyelids
Causes & risk factors
- Contact lens overuse, poor lens hygiene, or sleeping in lenses
- Eye injury, especially from vegetative matter such as a leaf, thorn, or crop debris (common in agricultural work)
- A foreign body or scratch on the eye surface
- Severe dry eye or eyelid conditions that expose the cornea
- Viral infections of the eye, including herpes viruses
- Contaminated water or fluids coming into contact with contact lenses
- Delayed treatment of a minor eye injury or infection allowing it to worsen
Diagnosis
- Slit-lamp examination to view the cornea in detail
- Fluorescein dye staining to outline the extent of the ulcer
- Corneal scraping sent for laboratory culture to identify the specific organism (bacteria, fungus, or virus)
- Assessment of depth and location, as these affect urgency and treatment choice
Treatment options
- Urgent, intensive antimicrobial eye drops chosen based on the likely or confirmed cause (antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral)
- Frequent dosing in the initial days, sometimes hourly, followed by tapering as it improves
- Stopping contact lens wear immediately until fully healed and cleared by the doctor
- Close, frequent follow-up to confirm the infection is responding to treatment
- In severe cases with significant scarring or thinning, a corneal transplant may be needed later to restore vision
When to seek urgent care
A corneal ulcer is always an urgent condition — any combination of eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, and a visible white spot on the cornea needs same-day evaluation by an eye doctor. Delaying care even by a day or two can allow the infection to deepen, scar the cornea, or threaten the eye, so this is never a "wait and see" situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a corneal ulcer cause permanent vision loss?
Yes, if treatment is delayed — it can leave a scar on the cornea that blurs vision, or in severe cases threaten the eye itself, which is why prompt treatment is so important.
How quickly can a corneal ulcer get worse?
It can worsen within hours to a day or two, especially bacterial or fungal ulcers, so any suspected ulcer should be seen by an eye doctor the same day rather than waiting.
Is a corneal ulcer contagious?
The underlying infection (particularly some viral causes) can potentially spread through direct contact with eye discharge, so good hand hygiene and avoiding sharing towels or eye makeup is sensible, though this varies by cause.
Can I wear contact lenses again after it heals?
Only after your eye doctor confirms the ulcer has fully healed, and you may need to review lens hygiene habits or lens type to reduce the risk of recurrence.
எங்களைச் சந்திக்கத் தயாரா?
முன்பதிவு பிரிவை அழைக்கவும் அல்லது ஆன்லைனில் பதிவு செய்யவும் — நேரத்தை தொலைபேசியில் உறுதிப்படுத்துவோம்.
Sources consulted: AAO — What Are Corneal Ulcers?, Mayo Clinic — Keratitis . General medical information — not a substitute for professional diagnosis. Content pending final medical review by BSEH doctors before publish.
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