eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Cornea

Central Sterile Corneal Ulceration: Follow-up

Author: Saadia Zohra Farooqui, MBBS, Aga Khan University Medical College, Pakistan
Coauthor(s): C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Founder and President, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution; Joseph JK Ma, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 6, 2008

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients must receive close follow-up care until resolution of the corneal ulcer.

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Patients should wear eye protection to prevent injury to the cornea, especially if the cornea is thin.

Complications

  • Complications include corneal scarring, neovascularization, decreased vision, central corneal perforation, and endophthalmitis. Other possible complications include cataract, glaucoma, and blindness.

Prognosis

  • Prognosis depends on the severity of the condition and the patient response to therapy in addition to associated local and systemic factors.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to promptly diagnose and provide early treatment to prevent visual loss
  • Failure to first rule out infectious causes

Special Concerns

  • In treating a patient with a corneal ulcer, evaluate for underlying systemic conditions and manage them appropriately.
 


More on Central Sterile Corneal Ulceration

Overview: Central Sterile Corneal Ulceration
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Central Sterile Corneal Ulceration
Treatment & Medication: Central Sterile Corneal Ulceration
Follow-up: Central Sterile Corneal Ulceration
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

central sterile corneal ulceration, neurotrophic ulcer, corneal ulcer, corneal stroma, corneal lesion, keratitis, corneal inflammation, stromal ulceration

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Saadia Zohra Farooqui, MBBS, Aga Khan University Medical College, Pakistan
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Founder and President, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution
C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Royal Society of Medicine, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joseph JK Ma, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Joseph JK Ma, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD, Senior Surgeon, Unidad Privada de Oftalmologia CEMES
Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Christopher J Rapuano, MD, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Co-Chairman of the Cornea Service, Co-Chairman of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute
Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Eye Bank Association of America, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Philadelphia County Medical Society
Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Inspire Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other

CME Editor

Ralph Garzia, OD, Assistant Dean for Clinical Programs, Associate Professor, School of Optometry, University of Missouri at St Louis
Ralph Garzia, OD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Optometry and American Optometric Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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