What Is Eye Ulcer?
An eye ulcer is also called corneal ulcer. It is an inflammatory condition that disrupts the epithelial layer along with the corneal stroma. Eye ulcer usually occurs to humans who live in the tropics although there are also cases where some individuals in developing countries have these too. Damage to the eyes causing ulcers is also due to vegetable matter that some harvesters may have gotten during harvesting. This is why in countries where agriculture is a way of life, there are more cases of individuals with ulcers in the eye.
Children who have a serious lack of the Vitamin A are prone to eye ulcer. Since this is an infectious condition, if only one eye has developed and ulcer, most likely the other will too. Eye ulcer may lead to blindness in both eyes but before that the stress of having it can disrupt a normal life. Immediate treatment of the ulcer of the eyes is needed in order to prevent further damage.
Causes Of Eye Ulcer
An eye ulcer is usually caused by trauma to the eye such as the prolonged wearing of contact lenses, chemical injury and eye infections. There are other ailments of the eyes that can ultimately cause eye ulcer and these include eye entropion, dry eye, corneal dystrophy and distichiae. Exposure to microorganisms can also cause eye ulcer. These kinds of infections can be the causes of deep and lasting eye ulcers. Fungal keratitis causes severe damage to the eyes including eye ulcer.
Treating Ulcers In The Eyes
If your eye ulcer is not so bad and you are wearing contact lenses, the best that you can do is to take off the contact lenses. Avoid touching or rubbing your infected eye because the infection can spread to the other eye if you continually do so. The application of a cold compress will benefit the eye and help to lower the inflammation as well as the redness but only slightly. There are some medical treatments for ulcers on the eye and these include pain killers or pain relievers as well as antibiotic eye drops to be applied in accordance to the severity of the infection or eye ulcer.
If the pain in your eye is quite severe, consulting a medical practitioner is a given. Do not risk your eyesight for home remedies that you know nothing of or over the counter medication that is not prescribed specifically of your eye ulcer.
