Can a corneal ulcer be treated without seeing a doctor?

Hello,

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From what you have mentioned, you seem to be having contact lens induced keratitis (corneal ulcer) or marginal keratitis. A corneal ulcer develops when there is a break in the corneal epithelium. Normally, tears play a major role in maintaining the integrity of the corneal epithelium. However, there are several risk factors associated with corneal ulcer formation among contact lens users like overnight wear, duration of wear, lens hygiene practice, dry eye, and smoking. Marginal keratitis is known to occur as a reaction to staphylococcus toxins, or coexist with blepharitis or rosacea.How do you store and clean your contact lenses? Do you have a history of swimming with your contact lenses put on?Do you experience dryness in your eye. Any discharge from your eye? Do you have a history of acne rosacea or blepharitis? If so, please revert back to me. The symptoms mentioned by you point towards corneal ulcer. However, the diagnosis is made by a slit lamp examination, which is done by an ophthalmologist. Hence, an eye examination by an ophthalmologist is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment. Also, corneal scraping maybe done to detect the infective organism. The most common being pseudomonas, followed by acanthamoeba. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to further complications. So please see an ophthalmologist at the earliest. Further, you must stop using the contact lens (the one you have been using). You must take the contact lens along with the lens solution when you visit the ophthalmologist, as they will need microbiological testing as well. Conditions leading to extreme dryness of eyes like environmental dust and smoke have to be avoided. You can also use dark tinted goggles as you have intolerance to light. And please visit the ophthalmologist at the earliest. After the diagnosis is made, you will be started off with fortified antibiotic eyedrops and cycloplegics along with lubricant eye drops.