Ulcers can be painful no matter where they occur. However, the magnitude of pain when it appears in the cornea is unimaginable. The eyes are very sensitive, and given how vital they are to a person’s day-to-day life, the consequences can be devastating when they become affected.
Getting treatment from an eye doctor will be necessary; however, the symptoms can be much lesser if detected early. Therefore, in this blog, we will look at the early signs of an ulcer and how to treat them.
Redness of the eye
Given how sensitive eyes are, one of the earliest signs that something might be affecting them is redness in the sclera (the white part of the eyeball). However, it has to be noted that this is a common symptom of many eye issues, so a person needs to make sure that other symptoms are also present to decide if it needs to be shown to a doctor.
The feeling of having something in the eye
This is a symptom which many people experience, and it appears early on too. The eye starts feeling irritated, and a person would have the sensation of something being on it, similar to when an eyelash falls onto the eye.
However, in this case, no matter how much someone tries to take the irritating object out, they won’t find anything. This could be very distressing to a person, and they should consult a doctor when this starts happening frequently.
Tearing, pus and discharge
The eye that has been affected will start tearing. And people will notice that there are pus and other discharges on the eyelids. People will have difficulty opening their eyes and may even need assistance to get rid of the dried secretion.
Sensitivity when exposed to light
When the ulcer is still in its early stages, a person might start feeling sensitive to sunlight. They will shut their eyes or squint when exposed to light, even those from artificial sources.
Pain and soreness
Due to the ulcer growing on the cornea, a person will feel pain and soreness in their eyes. The pain may start relatively light and then would gradually increase until it is severe.
Most people tend to ignore the pain initially by attributing it to mundane causes; however, this is wrong. It is highly unusual for eyes to hurt. Unless there is a significant strain on the eyes, maybe due to studying overnight or using the laptop for too long, pain is a good indication that something is very wrong. If an eye hurts for longer than 24 hours, a person needs to visit an eye hospital immediately.
What happens if a person fails to detect the early signs?
It is going to be a harrowing experience, and more symptoms will start to appear. Vision can start to blur, and eyelids can also swell. Furthermore, a white spot will be visible on the cornea, which is the ulcer.
If a person fails to take the necessary treatment at this point, they are at risk of losing their vision. Corneal ulcers will worsen when more time passes, and they can spread to the rest of the eye. They could even create a hole in the cornea or scar it deeply. A person will also be at risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.
If you suspect you have a corneal ulcer, you need to seek treatment immediately. You can contact us at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center and book an appointment to meet an eye specialist who can check and recommend a suitable treatment.