Cornea ulcer

[vinodbajaj]

I am 22 years old and from Ireland. I was referred to Accident & emergency by family doctor for my eye infection. The doctor (Senior house officer and Registrar) informed me that I have cornea ulcer, pus and inflamation. He prescribed Exocin (Ofloxacin 0.3%)one drop every hour and Chloromycetin at night and monitored me every day for last 8 days. No improvement so far. He took a swab from my eye yesterday and I'm due to see him again on Monday (2 days time). My cornea has a white line (tiny) at the edge of Cornea and can be seen with a naked eye. My vision is fine as I was able to read all including smallest letters. My eye is red and sour. I'm also taking pain killers and oral antibiotic (Exocin) as well. I'm losing faith in my doctor as no improvement for 8 days and getting worried. I donot wear contact lenses. I have not been seen by a consultant yet and been seen by his team (Senior house officer and Registrar). I approache doctor 2 days after my symptom (almost immediately)

Questions:

1. Am I in trouble?
2. Is doctor on the right track of investigation and reatment?
3. Will I lose my eye sight?
4. Can my condition be fixed?
5. What should I do next?

Help me please.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Corneal ulcers can be very serious, that is for sure.  I am surprised that your vision is so good.  Usually with a bad ulcer, the vision is extremely poor.  As long as your ulcer is a bacterial ulcer, you will most likely do well because you are on excellent antibiotics.  The problem comes in when there is a fungal or mycobacterial or amoebic ulcer or herpetic.  They can be very hard to treat.  All I can tell you is that you should see the specialist if the ulcer is not responding to the current treatment.  Keep doing exactly what the doctor says in the meantime.

Michael Kutryb, MD

[vinodbajaj]

Thanks for your speedy response which was helpful and some what reassuring. When you see a specialist what do you mean...? I am under Dr. Young who is an eye consultant and Surgeon in the Regional hospital and his team (Registrar and Senior House Officer) are looking after my case. If they are in doubt they will consult with him.

Should I see another consutant directly and separately? There is a waiting time to see a consultant (3-4 weeks) at times even you want to go as a private patient.

Please advise.     Regards, Vinod Bajaj