How is a corneal ulcer treated?

How is a corneal ulcer treated?

Corneal ulcers are treated with anti-infective medications or surgery if medications aren’t an option.

Medication choice is based on what’s causing the infection. Eye drops containing antibiotics (for bacterial infections), antifungals (for fungal infections) and antivirals (for viral infections) are the usual treatments. Your eye care provider may sometimes choose oral medication (taken by mouth) or an injection, given near your eye.

Your eye care provider may also prescribe oral medication to reduce pain. Steroid eye drops are sometimes given to reduce eye inflammation and swelling. Because steroid drops may worsen an infection, you should follow your provider’s recommendations about their use. Your eye care provider will discuss this and all available treatment options.