GuidelinesPrimary Care STG
Corneal Ulcer
Eye Conditions
H16.0
DESCRIPTION
Corneal ulcers may be caused by an infection, a foreign body in the eye, abrasions on the eye surface, severely dry eye or wearing contact lenses that are left in overnight.
Presents with:
- Blurring of vision.
- Photophobia.
- Very painful and watery eye.
- White patch/es on the cornea.
- Inflamed conjunctiva.
Herpes virus causes a branching (dendritic) ulcer which can recur and relapse over the lifetime of an individual.
GENERAL MEASURES
- Establish the cause, to determine likelihood of a foreign body.
- Remove any foreign body if visible on sclera or conjunctivae with cotton bud.
- Stain with fluorescein to reveal corneal foreign body or conditions such as abrasion or dendritic ulcer.
- Cover injured eye with eye pad, provided there is no pressure on the eye.
MEDICINE TREATMENT
If referral is deferred and a culture cannot be done within 12 hours:
- Chloramphenicol 1%, ophthalmic ointment applied 6 hourly.
LoE:III4
Referral
Urgent within 12 hours
- All patients.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-2024_Version 1.0_30 September 2024
Chapter 18: Eye Conditions_18.2 Corneal Ulcer