Those who wear contacts should immediately stop using their lenses. Delay in attention and treatment can lead to vision loss and sometimes even blindness or loss of the eye. What are the Symptoms of a Corneal Ulcer?Īny individual experiencing symptoms of eye pain or foreign body sensation, blurred vision, eye discharge, or light sensitivity should seek urgent care from an eye care provider. Patients with severe dry eyes, eyelid abnormalities leading to exposure of the cornea, and autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are especially prone to infection and should be aware of this possibility. Individuals should also avoid wearing lenses during swimming or showering. This includes washing your hands regularly before handling contacts, disinfecting and disposing of lenses in a timely fashion, and frequent cleaning of contact lens cases. One example is Acanthamoeba, a parasite found in tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, and lakes that lead to a severe corneal ulcer.Ĭontact users must maintain good hygiene to prevent corneal ulcers and reduce their risk of an infection. Contact wearers are at higher risk for a fungal or parasitic infection. The herpes virus, commonly associated with cold sores, can lead to recurrent corneal ulcers. Ulcers can also occur due to other microorganisms. Wearing contacts overnight is also associated with a higher risk of infection. Lastly, these contact lenses can obstruct oxygen availability and thus make the cornea more susceptible to infection. In addition, contacts can harbor bacteria on the surface over time. With extended wear, contact lenses can develop small scratches at the edge or deposits that can lead to this microtrauma. They are also susceptible to microtrauma that can occur from the lens itself. This is especially true for individuals who wear extended duration contacts as they are ten times more likely to develop an infection. The trauma creates an entry point for bacteria or other microorganisms to invade and establish an infection.Ĭontact lens wearers have a significantly higher risk of developing a corneal ulcer. A corneal ulcer is most commonly caused by bacteria and fungal infections, though it can occur in anyone who has sustained a direct eye injury.
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