Corneal Ulcer, Eye Injury that Can Cause Blindness

Ever heard of corneal ulcer disease? Although foreign to the ear, apparently this disease is very terrible, especially for those of you who often use contact lenses. Corneal ulcers can cause blindness if not treated immediately. Corneal ulcer is an open wound on the cornea, which is a thin part that covers the iris (the colored part of the eye). The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the front of the eye, which includes the pupil (opening in the middle of the eye), the iris (the colored part of the eye), and the anterior chamber (the space between the lens and the cornea that contains fluid). The main function of the cornea is to refract light, the cornea is responsible for focusing most of the light entering the eye. The eyes, especially the cornea, are often exposed to foreign objects if they are not well protected. It is important to maintain general eye and body health in order to avoid the risk of corneal ulcer which is dangerous and can cause blindness.

Some Causes of Corneal Ulcer

Corneal ulcers do not occur on their own, here are some of the causes of corneal ulcers, including:

• Bacterial infection

Most corneal ulcers are caused by bacterial infections. This is common in people who wear contact lenses. Usually, bacteria can directly attack the cornea if the surface of the cornea has been disturbed. Some bacteria produce toxins that can cause corneal ulceration.

• Virus

In addition to bacterial infections, corneal ulcers can also be caused by a viral infection. Viruses that can cause corneal ulcers are herpes simplex virus and Varicella virus or viruses that cause chickenpox and rashes. Herpes virus in the eye can cause herpes simplex keratitis.

• Fungal infections

Fungal infections are an uncommon cause of corneal ulcers and can occur after an injury. For example injuries caused by organic matter or branches / branches of trees. People who are infected with this type of infection are people who have been treated with steroid eye drops or people who wear contact lenses that are not properly disinfected. Keep in mind that people who wear contact lenses or contact lenses that have expired or the type of disposable but for a long time / overnight, often at high risk of corneal ulcer exposure.

• Eye trauma

Corneal ulcers can also occur due to injury to the eye. Various eye injuries that can damage the surface structure of the corneal surface of the eye, including chemical trauma and physical trauma, such as exposure to glass, sand or metal debris at high speed (for example in an explosion), entropion where the eyelids fold inward so that the eyelashes injure the cornea, and which is quite often ie in long-term eye contact lens users. The risk of abrasions on the cornea due to contact lens use is higher if the method of lens use and storage is incorrect.

In addition to the three causes mentioned above, apparently corneal ulcers can be caused by dry eyes, inflammation of the cornea, and vitamin A deficiency. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can also complicate corneal ulcers. Nerve disorders that cause the eyes can not be closed for example in Bell's palsy or in sensory nerve abnormalities in the eye can increase the risk of corneal ulcers. The symptoms of this disease include itchy eyes, watery eyes, painful or stinging sensations in the eyes, red eyes, pus in the eyes, feeling foreign objects in the eyes, blurred vision, pain when seeing bright lights, and swollen eyelids. Corneal ulcers look like gray / white spots on your cornea. Corneal ulcers cannot be considered trivial. All the symptoms mentioned above must be treated immediately to prevent blindness. Corneal ulcer is a medical emergency. But you don't need to worry, because there are a few tips to prevent corneal ulcers from developing in your eyes, including:

• If you are a contact lens user when experiencing the above symptoms, remove immediately. Clean contact lenses carefully, do not use plain water to clean contact lenses. In addition, you are prohibited from sleeping using contact lenses. Discard and replace contact lenses at intervals or periods determined by the doctor.
• Remove contact lenses before going to sleep.
• Do not touch or rub the eyes with your fingers.
• Limit the spread of infection by frequent hand washing and dry with a clean towel.
• Use eye protection when there are small particles that can enter your eyes or when traveling outside to reduce exposure to sunlight and dust in the eyes.
• If you have dry eyes or your eyelids don't close completely, use eye drops to keep your eyes wet. Artificial tears can be used to wet the surface of the eyes.

Treatment of corneal ulcers is primarily aimed at overcoming trigger factors, in infectious diseases treatment is aimed at addressing the cause of infection. In eye trauma, foreign bodies that injure the eye must be immediately cleaned and removed from the eye. In addition, sometimes the doctor will also give antibiotics to prevent infection due to exposure to foreign objects. Sometimes surgery is needed on the eye to overcome the causes of corneal ulcers. In patients with severe corneal ulcers or if previous treatments have not been successful, it can be considered for corneal transplant surgery. But this procedure is risky and the success rate of the procedure is different for each person. Therefore, eye complaints that arise after an injury to the eye, or eye complaints that are accompanied by high fever, vision problems, severe eye pain, or in long-term contact lens users, need to be immediately consulted by an eye specialist. After knowing what a corneal ulcer is and its dangers, you certainly understand better the importance of having your eyes checked immediately if you experience complaints or problems with the eyes. In addition, it is also important for you to always maintain your eye health by eating good food (green leafy vegetables, eggs, beans, and foods containing vitamin A), stopping smoking, using sunglasses to protect eyes from light ultraviolet, limit the distance or use of a computer. For contact lens users, use contact lenses according to the doctor's instructions and save according to instructions for use properly, and do regular eye examinations at the eye doctor.