Corneal Ulcer

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Corneal Ulcer is basically a scratch on the cornea of the eye.  The cornea is like the window of the eye.  It is transparent and is located at the front of the eyeball.  When this window suffers some kind of trauma, it causes an ulcer to form on the window.

SOURCE & CAUSE(S)

Most corneal ulcers are caused from an injury or by an infection that penetrates deep enough to cause an ulcer.  In cats, the most common cause results from a cat fight where a claw has scratched the corneal surface causing an ulcer.  

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Eye pain-Your pet will be rubbing the eye or holding it closed and squinting.  If you try to touch area around eye, your pet may move away and even growl to show that it is painful.
• Excessive tearing of the eye. 
• Swollen or bulging eye that may also appear bloodshot.
• Sensitivity to bright light and squinting are commonly seen.  
• Loss of appetite or lethargy will indicate that your pet is not feeling well.
• The cornea may have a cloudy appearance.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

Diagnosis begins with a complete history and a physical exam.  Your veterinarian will most likely do the following:

• Complete eye exam with an ophthalmoscope
• Corneal stain - A fluorescent dye is placed in the eye and then examined with an ultraviolet light.  If an ulcer is present, it will glow green under the UV light.  Your veterinarian can now evaluate size and location of ulcer.

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT

The goal in treating corneal ulcers is to shrink the ulcer and relieve pain for your pet.  This is usually done through a combination of drugs.  If there is an underlying infection, you will also be giving a round of antibiotics.  On occasion, if the ulcer is large enough surgery is indicated.  A veterinary surgeon will suture the eyelids together providing an eye bandage until the ulcer dissolves. Once this occurs the eye is opened up and vision restored. 

PREVENTION & HELPFUL TIPS

 There is no prevention for corneal ulcers as most are trauma related.  However, if you have a mutli-cat household, you might want to consider keeping cats indoors and declawing as a preventive measure against corneal injuries.