Corneal ulcers - A corneal ulcer is a break in the outer layer (epithelium) of the cornea. It is dangerous and should be treated promptly. Large ulcers may be seen by the naked eye as dull spots or depressions on the surface of the cornea. Smaller ones are usually seen after the eye has been stained by fluorescein (an orange-red powder used to make dyes, which is used in solution applied topically to the eye to detect injury to the cornea). By definition, uncomplicated ulcers, while usually painful, should heal in three-four days with appropriate treatment (usually antibiotic ointment, but not one with cortisone’s in it, as the cortisone could delay healing and predispose to rupture of the eye) - check with your vet before administering treatment).
Ulcers that last longer than three-four days are usually seen to be complicated ulcers. There are two broad categories of reasons of why ulcers fail to heal. The first category is ulcers that fail to heal due to external causes. These external causes can include ongoing trauma due to other eye conditions such as entropion (the abnormal rolling in of the eyelid); or trichiasis (facial hair in contact with the eye as a result of facial conformation); or foreign bodies lurking behind the third eyelid, embedded within the eyelid, or within the cornea itself; or abnormally placed eyelashes. Also unresolved infections in the conjunctiva, glands of the eyelid margin, or within the tear duct may cause corneal ulceration. Unless these external causes are also treated, the corneal ulceration will not heal. The other category of why ulcers fail to heal deals with internal reasons, such as other eye diseases and primary tissue healing problems.
A number of diagnostic instruments and techniques are used to properly diagnose the reasons for a complicated corneal ulcer. It is important to note that if an ulcer becomes very deep, it will need to be treated quite aggressively in order to save the eye. As corneal ulcers are a frequent problem in veterinary medicine, you are encouraged to seek appropriate treatment rather than dismissing it.
