View source for Corneal ulcer

{{Infobox_Disease
| Name            = Corneal ulcer
 | Image          = Eyes corneal ulcer.jpg
 | Caption        = Corneal ulcer. Marked generalized inflammation related to bacterial infection in this immunocompromised host. The cornea itself has become opaque secondary to this process. <br> (Image courtesy of Charlie Goldberg, M.D.) 
 | DiseasesDB     = 
 | ICD10          = {{ICD10|H|16|0|h|15}}
 | ICD9           = {{ICD9|370.00}}
 | ICDO           = 
 | OMIM           = 
 | MedlinePlus    = 001032
 | MedlinePlus_mult=MedlinePlus2|001017
 | eMedicineSubj  = 
 | eMedicineTopic = 
 | MeshID         = 
}}

'''For patient information click [[{{PAGENAME}} (patient information)|here]]'''

{{Corneal ulcer}}
{{CMG}}
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==[[Corneal ulcer overview|Overview]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer historical perspective|Historical Perspective]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology & Demographics]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer risk factors|Risk Factors]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer screening|Screening]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer causes|Causes]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer differential diagnosis|Differentiating Corneal ulcer]]==

==[[Corneal ulcer natural history|Complications & Prognosis]]==

==Diagnosis==
[[Corneal ulcer history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[Corneal ulcer physical examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Corneal ulcer staging|Staging]] | [[Corneal ulcer laboratory tests|Laboratory tests]] | [[Corneal ulcer electrocardiogram|Electrocardiogram]]  | [[Corneal ulcer x ray|X Rays]] | [[Corneal ulcer CT|CT]] | [[Corneal ulcer MRI|MRI]] [[Corneal ulcer echocardiography or ultrasound|Echocardiography or Ultrasound]] | [[Corneal ulcer other imaging findings|Other images]] | [[Corneal ulcer other diagnostic studies|Alternative diagnostics]]

==Treatment==
[[Corneal ulcer medical therapy|Medical therapy]] | [[Corneal ulcer surgery|Surgical options]] | [[Corneal ulcer primary prevention|Primary prevention]]  | [[Corneal ulcer secondary prevention|Secondary prevention]] | [[Corneal ulcer cost-effectiveness of therapy|Financial costs]] | [[Corneal ulcer future or investigational therapies|Future therapies]]

==Corneal healing==
An ulcer of the cornea heals by two methods:  migration of surrounding epithelial cells followed by [[mitosis]] (dividing) of the cells, and introduction of blood vessels from the [[conjunctiva]]. Superficial small ulcers heal rapidly by the first method. However, larger or deeper ulcers often require the presence of blood vessels to supply inflammatory cells. [[White blood cell]]s and [[fibroblast]]s produce [[granulation tissue]] and then scar tissue, effectively healing the cornea.

==Superficial and deep corneal ulcers==


===Symptoms===
Corneal ulcers are painful due to nerve exposure, and can cause tearing, squinting, and vision loss of the eye.  There may also be signs of anterior [[uveitis]], such as [[miosis]] (small pupil), aqueous flare (protein in the [[aqueous humour]]), and redness of the eye.  An axon reflex may be responsible for uveitis formation — stimulation of pain receptors in the cornea results in release inflammatory mediators such as [[prostaglandin]]s, [[histamine]], and [[acetylcholine]].

===Diagnosis===
Diagnosis is done by direct observation under magnified view of [[slit lamp]] revealing the ulcer on the cornea. The use of [[fluorescein]] stain, which is taken up by exposed corneal [[stroma]] and appears green, helps in defining the margins of the corneal ulcer, and can reveal additional details of the surrounding epithelium. Herpes simplex ulcers show a typical dendritic pattern of staining. Rose-Bengal dye is also used for supra-vital staining purposes, but it may be very irritating to the eyes. In descemetoceles, the Descemet's membrane will bulge forward and after staining will appear as a dark circle with a green boundary, because it does not absorb the stain. Doing a corneal scraping and examining under the microscope with stains like Gram's and KOH preparation may reveal the bacteria and fungi respectively. Microbiological culture tests may be necessary to isolate the causative organisms for some cases. Other tests that may be necessary include a [[Schirmer's test]] for keratoconjunctivitis sicca and an analysis of [[facial nerve]] function for facial nerve paralysis.

===Treatment===
Proper diagnosis is essential for optimal treatment. Bacterial corneal ulcer require intensive fortified antibiotic therapy to treat the infection. Fungal corneal ulcers require intensive application of topical anti-fungal agents. Viral corneal ulceration caused by herpes virus may antivirals like topical acyclovir oint instilled at least five times a day. Alongside, supportive therapy like pain medications are given, including topical cycloplegics like [[atropine]] or [[homatropine]] to dilate the pupil and thereby stop spasms of the [[ciliary muscle]]. Superficial ulcers may heal in less than a week. Deep ulcers and descemetoceles may require conjunctival grafts or conjunctival flaps, soft [[contact lens]]es, or [[cornea transplant|corneal transplant]]. Proper nutrition, including protein intake and Vitamin C are usually advised. In cases of Keratomalacia, where the corneal ulceration is due to a deficiency of Vitamin A, supplementation of the Vitamin A by oral or intramuscular route is given. Drugs that are usually contraindicated in corneal ulcer are topical [[corticosteroid]]s and [[anesthetics]] - these should not be used on any type of corneal ulcer because they prevent healing, may lead to superinfection with fungi and other bacteria and will often make the condition much worse.

==Refractory corneal ulcers==
{{main|Recurrent corneal erosion}}
Refractory corneal ulcers are superficial ulcers that heal poorly and tend to recur.  They are also known as '''indolent ulcers''' or '''Boxer ulcers'''.  They are believed to be caused by a defect in the basement membrane and a lack of [[hemidesmosome|hemidesmosomal]] attachments.  They are recognized by undermined epithelium that surrounds the ulcer and easily peels back. Refractory corneal ulcers are most commonly seen in diabetics and often occur in the other eye later.  They are similar to Cogan's cystic dystrophy.

===Treatment===
Topical fortified antibiotics are used at hourly intervals to treat infectious corneal ulcers.  Cycloplegic eye drops are applied to give rest to the eye.Pain medications are given as needed. Loose epithelium and ulcer base can be scraped off and sent for culture sensitiviy studies to find out the pathogenic organism. This helps in choosing appropriate antibiotics. Complete healing takes anywhere from about few weeks to few months.

Refractory corneal ulcers can take a long time to heal, sometimes months.  In case of progressive or non-healing ulcers, surgical intervention by an  Ophthalmologist with corneal transplantation may be required to save the eye. In all corneal ulcers it is important to rule out predisposing factors like [[Diabetes Mellitus]] and Immunodeficiency.

==Melting ulcers==
Melting ulcers are a type of corneal ulcer involving progressive loss of stroma in a dissolving fashion.  This is most commonly seen in ''[[Pseudomonas]]'' infection, but it can be caused by other types of [[bacteria]] or [[fungus|fungi]].  These infectious agents produce [[protease]]s and [[collagenase]]s which break down the corneal stroma.  Complete loss of the stroma can occur within 24 hours. Treatment includes antibiotics and collagenase inhibitors such as [[acetylcysteine]]. Surgery in the form of corneal transplantation (penetrating keratoplasty) is usually necessary to save the eye.

==See also==
*[[Corneal abrasion]]
*[[Keratitis]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Eye pathology}}
{{SIB}}


[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
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