An eye ulcer is when the outermost layer of the eye is inflamed, which results in pain. This is a rare condition in the United States. In fact, there are fewer than 200,000 cases reported each year. Some of the symptoms of an eye ulcer include redness of the eyes, blurry vision, and tearing of the eyes. The only way to get rid of an eye ulcer is by seeking treatment at a doctor’s office or emergency room. It needs to be treated right away because it could cause more problems for you later on.
Treatment for an eye ulcer includes antibiotics, antiviral, or antibacterial medicine. An eye patch will need to be worn when the eye ulcer isn’t infectious. In some cases, surgery will need to be done to get rid of unhealthy tissue in the eye area.
There are eight frequent causes of an eye ulcer that you need to be aware of.
1. Wearing contact lenses is a frequent cause of an eye ulcer.
Contact lens wearers need to wash their hands every time they have to handle their contacts. Without washing their hands, bacteria can easily get into the eye. Some contact lens wearers tend to use the same contact lens for months without changing them. For instance, they have a contact lens that you can wear for a month. It is best to get the contacts that you have to change daily or weekly.
Make sure to clean out the contact lens case often and use the solution every time before placing the contacts in your eyes and the case. It is also a good idea to take your contact lens out after washing your hands and wearing glasses. That way your eyes get rest from wearing contacts for a long period of time. Glasses are safer for the eyes than contacts.