Understanding Corneal Ulcer

A corneal ulcer is an open sore on your cornea. In most cases, it's caused by an infection.

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A corneal ulcer is an open sore on your cornea. In most cases, it’s caused by an infection. The cornea is a clear layer on the front of your eye. It helps protect your eye from dirt and germs. It also helps control how light enters your eye. Infection or injury to your cornea can cause an ulcer to form. Corneal ulcers can happen in people of any age. If not treated, a corneal ulcer can lead to loss of eyesight and even blindness.

Cross section of eye showing cornea.

What causes a corneal ulcer?

Many things can cause a corneal ulcer. These include:

  • Bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus

  • Viral infections, such as herpes

  • Fungal infections

  • Parasitic infections

  • Scrapes or burns on the cornea

  • Conditions that dry out the cornea, such as dry eye or Bell’s palsy

  • Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis

  • Injury to the cornea

  • Ulcers from reduced blood flow, such as from diabetes

  • Allergies causing inflammation of the eyes

  • Vitamin A deficiency (rare in the U.S.)

If you use contact lenses, you are more at risk for a corneal ulcer if you:

  • Wear soft contact lenses

  • Wear extended-wear contact lenses

  • Wear your lenses for longer than recommended

  • Don’t care for your lenses and lens case as directed

  • Put your contact lenses in water

Symptoms of a corneal ulcer

Symptoms of a corneal ulcer can include:

  • Severe eye pain

  • A feeling of something in your eye

  • Tearing

  • Discharge from your eye

  • Sensitivity to light

  • Blurred or reduced vision

  • Eye redness

  • Swelling of your eyelids

  • A white spot on your cornea that may not be seen in a mirror

Diagnosing a corneal ulcer

You may see an eye healthcare provider who will ask about your past health history and your symptoms. You will be given an eye exam in both eyes. A dye may be put on the surface of your eye to help your eye healthcare provider look at your cornea. You may be asked to look into a large tool called a slit-lamp to examine your eye in more detail.

Your cornea may be scraped, and the sample sent to a lab to check for infection. If you wear contact lenses, your contact lenses may be sent to the lab too. You may also have blood tests to help find the cause of your corneal ulcer. Your treatment may vary depending on the cause.