Corneal ulcer
| Corneal ulcer | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Ulcerative keratitis |
| Corneal ulcer resulting from bacterial keratitis | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology |
| Symptoms | Pain, photophobia, blurry vision |
| Complications | Scarring, vision loss, uveitis, glaucoma, cataract formation |
| Causes | Bacterial, fungal, viral, or protozoal infection; immune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis [scleroderma], rosacea) |
| Prevention | Proper contact lens hygiene |
| Treatment | Antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral eye drops |
| Prognosis | Good with prompt treatment |
Corneal ulcer, often resulting from keratitis is an inflammatory or, more seriously, infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma.[1][2][3] It is a common condition in humans particularly in the tropics and in farming.[4] In developing countries, children afflicted by vitamin A deficiency are at high risk for corneal ulcer and may become blind in both eyes persisting throughout life. In ophthalmology, a corneal ulcer usually refers to having an infection,[2] while the term corneal abrasion refers more to a scratch injury.[5]
- ^ Cabrera-Aguas M, Khoo P, Watson SL (July 2022). "Infectious keratitis: A review". Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 50 (5): 543–562. doi:10.1111/ceo.14113. PMC 9542356. PMID 35610943.
- ^ a b "Corneal ulcer". Cleveland Clinic. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ David Turbert (13 October 2022). "What is corneal ulcer (keratitis)?". American Academy of Ophthalmology. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Ung L, Bispo PJ, Shanbhag SS, Gilmore MS, Chodosh J (2019). "The persistent dilemma of microbial keratitis: Global burden, diagnosis, and antimicrobial resistance". Survey of Ophthalmology. 64 (3): 255–271. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.12.003. PMC 7021355. PMID 30590103.
- ^ "Corneal abrasion (scratch): First aid". Mayo Clinic. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.