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

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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/

Sensitivity to Light

Sensitivity to light, or photophobia, may occur if an eye with the ulcer is open, and exposed to sunlight. Structures within the eye control how much light enters, but these structures may be damaged by a corneal ulcer or infection.¹Turbert, David. ‘What Is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/corneal-ulcer

Sometimes sensitivity to light following an eye ulcer may even trigger headaches or nausea in people who don't usually experience migraines. Light from any source may be aggravating, including sunlight or fluorescent lighting.¹Turbert, David. ‘What Is a Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?’ American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1 Apr. 2021, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/corneal-ulcer

Blurred Vision

Blurry vision, with its decrease in visual clarity, is a typical symptom of eye ulcers. Details of objects may not be clear, and it may be difficult to read or make out small details.³‘Home.’ Cincinnati Eye Corneal Ulcer Comments, www.cincinnatieye.com/corneal-diseases/corneal-ulcer/

Objects may appear to be out of focus, and people sometimes squint in an effort to get a clearer view or focus on details. Other signs of blurry vision may include poor peripheral vision.³‘Home.’ Cincinnati Eye Corneal Ulcer Comments, www.cincinnatieye.com/corneal-diseases/corneal-ulcer/

Eye Pain

Eye pain is a very noticeable symptom of a corneal ulcer. An eye ulcer may cause pain while opening or closing the eye and during blinking. Pain may be constant, especially before treatment, and may range from mild to severe.³‘Home.’ Cincinnati Eye Corneal Ulcer Comments, www.cincinnatieye.com/corneal-diseases/corneal-ulcer/

It's sometimes described as a burning sensation or as a sharp pain that occurs sporadically. Wash around the eye gently, and try to avoid touching or aggravating the eye to minimize pain.³‘Home.’ Cincinnati Eye Corneal Ulcer Comments, www.cincinnatieye.com/corneal-diseases/corneal-ulcer/

Loss of Night Vision

Loss of night vision isn't a common symptom of an eye ulcer, but it may happen. The risk of damaged night vision increases if eye ulcers aren't treated promptly, and the effect may be temporary or permanent.⁴Wipperman, 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

Problems with night vision may lead to blurred vision at night while trying to read or perform any task that requires close viewing. Impaired night vision may affect driving at night. Street lights and lights from oncoming traffic may appear distorted or have halos around them.⁴Wipperman, 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

Watery Eyes

Watery eyes is a common symptom of an eye ulcer. The eyes produce tears to wash foreign particles away and as a self-protective measure. An eye ulcer may lead to excessive tear production because the eye's protective mechanisms are trying to wash away irritants and prevent infection.⁴Wipperman, 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

Excessive watering doesn't necessarily mean an infection is present. Sometimes clear discharge through the night leaves eyes matted shut, but this may be a result of the salt content in tears instead of an infection.⁴Wipperman, 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

Irritation

Eye ulcers may feel like a foreign substance in the eye. Some people describe feeling like a piece of sand or dirt is stuck under their eyelids. It's important to see an eye doctor to make sure a foreign particle that may cause damage isn't present, but the ulcer itself may cause that feeling as well.⁵Christopher 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

Feeling like something is stuck in the eye may prompt scratching and rubbing, but it's important to resist these urges so as to let the eye heal.⁵Christopher 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

Swollen Eyelids

Swollen eyelids may occur as a result of an ulcer that affects the eyelids. An infection could spread into the tissues of the eyelid. Sometimes rubbing or scratching at the eye may irritate the eyelid and cause swelling.⁵Christopher 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

Removing discharge from the eyelashes and eyelids may be irritating as well. Medications used to treat eye ulcers may result in swollen eyelids, too, although the effect is usually temporary and harmless.⁵Christopher 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

Scarring

An eye ulcer may cause scarring. The risk of scarring increases without prompt treatment, so it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. A scar on the cornea of the eye may become permanent and affect vision.⁵Christopher 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

Scars may appear as blurry spots. Some people describe them as floating dots. Most scars aren't painful, but thick scars or scars on the uppermost layer of the cornea may feel like a piece of sand or grit in the eye.⁵Christopher 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

Pus and Discharge

Pus is different from watering. The white, yellow or brownish colored fluid often referred to as pus contains dead white blood cells and debris from the infectious microorganism in a wound. Sources of infection in eye ulcers include bacteria, fungus and protozoa.⁵Christopher 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

A protozoa called acanthamoeba is sometimes a cause of eye ulcers associated with contact lenses. A doctor may culture a purulent discharge to find out what organism is present to tailor treatment to be most effective.⁵Christopher 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