10 Eye Ulcer Symptoms

By errol

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Turbert, David. 'What Is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?' American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/corneal-ulcer
• 2. Byrd, Liza B. 'Corneal Ulcer.' StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539689/
• 3. 'Home.' Cincinnati Eye Corneal Ulcer Comments, www.cincinnatieye.com/corneal-diseases/corneal-ulcer/
• 4. Wipperman, Jennifer, and John N. Dorsch. 'Evaluation and Management of Corneal Abrasions.' American Family Physician, 15 Jan. 2013, www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0115/p114.html
• 5. Christopher Kent, Senior Editor. 'Winning the Battle Against Corneal Ulcers.' Review of Ophthalmology, 5 Sept. 2013, www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/winning-the-battle-against-corneal-ulcers-42796

Medical Expert

More About Us

Corneal ulcers or corneal abrasions, are open sores in the cornea of the eye. A corneal ulcer usually occurs on the eye's clear surface layer. People may develop eye ulcers after an infection, a traumatic injury to the eye, or a scratch or abrasion caused by contact lenses.¹Turbert, David. ‘What Is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/corneal-ulcer

Bacteria and other infectious pathogens may enter the eye through an abrasion. Medical treatment is required for eye ulcers because they can lead to vision loss if the ulcer isn't addressed quickly. Between 30,000 and 75,000 people in the United States seek treatment for an eye ulcer every year.²Byrd, Liza B. ‘Corneal Ulcer.’ StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539689/

Redness

Eye redness may be an early symptom of eye ulcers. Redness comes from dilated blood vessels in the white part, or sclera, of the eye. These small blood vessels are very close to the surface, and the eye may appear red when vessels are enlarged.¹Turbert, David. ‘What Is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/corneal-ulcer

Increased tearing in response to irritation or a foreign body in the eye may lead to increased redness. Blood flow increases in response to an eye ulcer, especially if an infection is present, because the body is responding to an injury. The immune system may send more white blood cells to the injured area.²Byrd, Liza B. ‘Corneal Ulcer.’ StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539689/