Medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy · Last reviewed June 20, 2026 · Review policy (Arabic)
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A corneal ulcer is a serious eye condition — serious enough that once it is diagnosed, the treating ophthalmologist starts a treatment plan straight away. In some cases that plan ends with a corneal transplant to save the eye. If you have a corneal ulcer, or recognise the symptoms described below in someone you know, keep reading. This article walks through what a corneal ulcer is, what causes it, the symptoms to watch for, how it is treated, and how to protect your eyes.
A corneal ulcer — also called infectious keratitis — is an open sore on the surface of the cornea, caused by infection or trauma. It is acute and it is serious. Any delay in treatment can lead to permanent damage to the eye and to vision.
Some context helps here. The cornea is the transparent layer covering the front of the eye — the window we see through. Any erosion, infection, or scarring of that window can cause major visual problems, especially when it is not treated in the early stages.
Most corneal ulcers start with an infection. The main culprits:
The most common symptoms include:
1- Medication: treatment starts with the cause. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops, antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals as appropriate, sometimes with pain relief added alongside the antibiotic regimen.
2- Surgery: if medication cannot control the ulcer, or the ulcer is severe, a corneal transplant may be needed — the surgeon removes the affected cornea and replaces it with a healthy donor cornea. Choosing a specialist surgeon, and confirming which type of transplant you need, is essential.
Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy is a lecturer and consultant in cornea and refractive surgery at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology. He holds a PhD and a fellowship in corneal surgery from the Devers Eye Institute in Oregon, USA, where he trained under leading American eye surgeons. He was the first surgeon in Egypt to perform endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using the S-stamp technique — an approach he has since taught to many ophthalmologists and presented at numerous conferences in the United States and the Arab world. Widely regarded as one of Egypt's most prominent eye surgeons, he combines a long record of successful operations with consistent use of the latest surgical techniques, and has published a new approach for lamellar corneal transplantation in cases that were historically difficult to treat this way.
Some people are simply more exposed than others. Higher-risk groups include:
– Contact lens wearers.
– Those who have had cold sores, chickenpox, or other infections noted above.
– Patients using steroid eye drops.
– Patients with severe dry eye.
– Patients with eyelid disorders that prevent normal lid function.
One last thing. Your eyes are among the most precious things you have — if you notice anything unusual, don't wait to consult your ophthalmologist.
