Corneal Ulcer Treatment: What Works Best?

If you’ve ever felt a painful spot on your eye that won’t go away, you might be dealing with a corneal ulcer. It’s a break in the clear front part of the eye and can happen after an infection, injury, or even wearing contact lenses too long. The good news is that most ulcers heal well when you act quickly and follow the right steps.

What Is a Corneal Ulcer?

A corneal ulcer looks like a sore on the eye’s surface. Common signs are redness, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and a gritty feeling that won’t quit. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop using contact lenses right away and see an eye doctor. The ulcer can spread fast, so early treatment is key to avoid scarring or permanent vision loss.

The cause is usually a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Sometimes dry eyes, allergies, or a small scratch (called a corneal abrasion) let germs get in. Knowing the trigger helps your doctor pick the right medicine, which is why a proper exam matters.

Treatment Options You Can Use

The first step most doctors take is prescribing antibiotic eye drops if they think bacteria are to blame. For fungal or viral ulcers, you’ll get antifungal drops or antiviral medication instead. It feels strange putting drops in your eye many times a day, but sticking to the schedule speeds up healing.

Along with drops, doctors often recommend lubricating eye ointments or artificial tears. These keep the surface moist and protect it while the ulcer closes. If you wear contacts, switch to glasses until the eye is fully healed – continuing to wear lenses can make the infection worse.

In more serious cases, a short course of oral antibiotics may be added. Some ulcers need a tiny bandage contact lens placed over the eye; this acts like a shield and lets drops work better. Rarely, if the ulcer doesn’t improve, a surgical procedure called corneal debridement might be needed to remove damaged tissue.

Home care matters too. Wash your hands before touching your eyes or applying drops. Avoid rubbing the eye, even if it feels itchy. If you use makeup, skip it until the doctor says it’s safe – leftover particles can re‑introduce germs.Follow‑up visits are a must. Your doctor will check the ulcer’s size and depth with a special light called a slit lamp. Most ulcers start to shrink within a few days of treatment; if they’re not improving, let your eye specialist know right away.

Quick action, proper medication, and good hygiene usually bring the ulcer back to normal in 1‑2 weeks. Keep an eye on any lingering pain or blurred vision after healing – sometimes a mild scar stays, but further treatment can often clear it up.

Bottom line: spot the symptoms early, see a professional, use prescribed drops exactly as directed, and give your eye the rest it needs. With those steps, you’ll protect your sight and get back to seeing clearly.