Corneal Ulcer(Keratitis)Core-nee-ull ull-sir
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionCorneal ulcer, also called keratitis, is a sore on the cornea. The cornea is the dome that covers the front of the eye. A healthy cornea protects the inside of the eye and guides light into the eye.
Causes TOPA corneal ulcer is caused by a breakdown of the surface of the cornea. The breakdown may be caused by:
Risk Factors TOPFactors that may increase the risk of corneal ulcer include:
Symptoms TOPSymptoms in the eye may include:
If an infection is present, there may also be a fever. Diagnosis TOPYou will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. An eye exam will be done. The doctor will probably be able to make the diagnosis after a visual exam using a slit lamp. Your bodily fluids and tissues may need to be tested to determine the cause. This can be done with:
Treatment TOPTalk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Early treatment can help prevent complications that can lead to vision loss. Medications may be recommended to treat an infection or prevent one from happening while the eye heals. Medication may be changed based on results from the culture. Options may include:
Steroid medication is sometimes used to reduce the risk of scarring. This medication is not always used because it may also increase the risk of or worsen infection. SurgerySevere damage or injury to the cornea will decrease vision. Surgery may be needed to repair or replace the cornea. Prevention TOPTo help reduce your chance of getting keratitis, take these steps:
RESOURCES:American Academy of Ophthalmology http://www.aao.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Ophthalmological Society http://www.cos-sco.ca Health Canada https://www.canada.ca References:Basics of bacterial keratitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated January 27, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2017.
Corneal ulcer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T900362/Corneal-ulcer
. Updated April 21, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2017.
Keratitis (corneal ulcers). Kellogg Eye Center website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed December 14, 2017. What is keratitis? American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Published April 3, 2012. Accessed December 14, 2017. Corneal Ulcer. Merck Manual Professional version. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated December 2016. Accessed December 14, 2017. Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Michael Woods, MD, FAAP Last Updated: 5/24/2016 |
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