Written by the Mungale Eye Hospital team
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meeta Mungale, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology), DNB · Fellowship in Cornea & Anterior Segment, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad · Gujarat Medical Council Reg. No. G-39262 · Reviewed on 13 October 2026
Published 13 October 2026
Part of our guide: Corneal Ulcer & Keratitis: Symptoms & Treatment
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. It is usually caused by infection and is an eye emergency. A red eye with pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity or a white spot on the cornea needs same-day assessment by an eye specialist, because delay can lead to scarring or permanent vision loss.
What Is a Corneal Ulcer?
The cornea has several layers. When the outer layer is damaged and infection enters, an ulcer forms. Bacteria, fungi, viruses and a parasite called Acanthamoeba can all cause it. The infection can spread deeper quickly and may even create a hole in the cornea if untreated.
What Are the Symptoms?
Common Causes and Risk Factors
How Is a Red Eye Emergency Different From Conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis usually causes redness, itching, mild discomfort and sticky discharge, with normal or near-normal vision. A corneal ulcer causes real pain, blurred vision and light sensitivity. If you are unsure, it is safer to get checked the same day.
How Is It Diagnosed?
The eye doctor examines the cornea with a slit lamp and a special dye that highlights the sore. A small sample, called a corneal scraping, may be sent to the lab to find the exact germ. This helps choose the right medicine.
How Is It Treated?
Treatment usually starts immediately with intensive antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral drops, often every hour at first. Follow-up visits are frequent. Severe cases may need hospital care or surgery, such as a corneal transplant, if the cornea becomes very thin or perforates.
What Should You Avoid?
Key Takeaways
Final Thoughts
When it comes to a painful red eye, acting early can save your sight. Do not wait for it to clear on its own. For urgent corneal assessment and treatment, you can consult Dr. Meeta Mungale, an ophthalmologist at Mungale Eye Hospital in Vadodara.
Frequently Asked Questions
A red eye is more serious if it comes with pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, a white spot on the cornea or follows an injury or contact lens use. These signs need same-day attention from an eye specialist.
No. A corneal ulcer needs medical treatment. Without proper drops, the infection can spread, scar the cornea or cause a hole. Early, targeted treatment gives the best chance of healing with good vision.
Do not self-treat a painful red eye. The wrong drop, especially a steroid, can make some infections much worse. An eye doctor should examine the eye and choose the right medicine.
Yes. Sleeping in lenses, swimming with them, poor cleaning and using tap water increase the risk of corneal ulcers. Remove lenses and see a doctor at the first sign of pain or redness.
Severe or untreated ulcers can lead to dense scarring or perforation, which may cause serious vision loss. Most people recover well with early treatment. Some may need a corneal transplant to restore vision.
Healing time depends on the cause, size and how early treatment starts. Small bacterial ulcers may heal in a couple of weeks. Fungal ulcers often take longer. Regular follow-up is needed until it fully heals.
Sources and further reading
Reviewed by
MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology), DNB · Fellowship in Cornea & Anterior Segment, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad
Gujarat Medical Council Reg. No. G-39262
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