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Because of its potential to permanently impair vision or perforate the eye, a corneal ulcer is

considered an ophthalmologic emergency. Although corneal ulcers may occasionally be sterile,


most are infectious in etiology. Ulcers due to viral infection occur on a previously intact corneal
epithelium. Bacterial corneal ulcers generally follow a traumatic break in the corneal epithelium,
thereby providing an entry for bacteria. The traumatic episode may be minor, such as a minute
abrasion from a small foreign body, or may result from such causes as tear insufficiency,
malnutrition, or contact lens use. Increased use of soft contact lenses in recent years has led to a
dramatic rise in the occurrence of corneal ulcer, particularly due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.[1]
In addition, with the introduction of topical corticosteroid drugs in the treatment of eye disease,
fungal corneal ulcers have become more common.
Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is a complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that can lead
to rapid corneal destruction (corneal melt) and perforation with loss of vision. An example is
shown in the image below.

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis in the right eye of a patient with


rheumatoid arthritis. Glue has been placed.
Mooren ulcer is a rapidly progressive, painful, ulcerative keratitis, which initially affects the
peripheral cornea and may spread circumferentially and then centrally. Mooren ulcer can only be
diagnosed in the absence of an infectious or systemic cause.

Pathophysiology
Risk factors include contact lens use, HIV, trauma, ocular surface disease, and ocular surgery.[2]
Overnight contact lens wear has been shown to be associated with increased risk. Other
identified risk factors include age, gender smoking, low socioeconomic class, and inadequate
contact lens hygiene.
Common bacterial isolates cultured from patients with keratitis include P aeruginosa, coagulasenegative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and
Enterobacteriaceae (including Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, and Proteus). Klebsiella
pneumoniae mucoid phenotype and its ability to form biofilm may be important in producing a
corneal ulceration. Agents, such as N- acetylcysteine, may have a role in treatment because they
inhibit biofilm formation.
Fungi (Fusarium) and amoeba (Acanthamoeba) have been found in a small number of patients
but frequently present with more severe symptoms.

Herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses can both cause a significant keratitis.[3]
Mooren ulcer is an idiopathic ulceration of the peripheral cornea, which may be due to an
autoimmune reaction or it may be associated with the hepatitis C virus.

Epidemiology
Frequency
United States
Approximately 25,000 Americans develop infectious keratitis annually. The annual incidence of
microbial keratitis associated with contact lens use is approximately 2-4 infections per 10,000
users of soft contact lenses and 10-20 infections per 10,000 users of extended-wear contact
lenses. Approximately 10% of these infections result in the loss of 2 or more lines of visual
acuity.[4]
International
A study from the United Kingdom reports factors associated with an increased risk of a corneal
invasive event: wearing extended-wear hydrogel lenses, male gender, smoking, and the late
winter months (March > July).[5]
Authors from the United Kingdom also report an 8 times higher incidence of corneal invasive
event in contact lens wearers who sleep in contact lenses compared with wearers who use lenses
only during the waking hours.[6]

Mortality/Morbidity
Corneal scarring and vision loss are possible.

Sex
Studies from the United Kingdom suggest that males who wear extended-wear contact lenses are
at increased risk of forming a corneal ulcer.
Other studies suggest that males are at increased risk due to the higher probability of sustaining
ocular trauma.

Age
Corneal injury or infection can affect people of all ages. A bimodal distribution is observed. The
age groups with a higher prevalence of disease are likely tied to risk factors, those in the first
group (< 30 y) who are more likely to be contact lenses wearers and/or sustain ocular trauma,
and those in the second group (>50 y) who are more likely to undergo eye surgery.

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