corneal ulcers / keratisis

[kerrie trim]

Hi all

I was wondering if anyone had advice or information they could offer me about corneal ulcers? I currently have ulcers or keratisis (?) (are they different things?) on both eyes, so I'm stuck with no lenses again (I have the softperm type). I've been prescribed Predsol eyedrops, and from scouting around the forum it looks like others have tended to get antibiotics rather than steroids as treatment? I got the right eye ulcer a few weeks ago, followed the instructions for the Predsol for a couple of weeks, but when I went to get it checked, it was still there along with a new left eye one, I'm just feeling a bit unconvinced about the treatment as it doesn't seem to have worked - anyone had the same?
Beyond that, I'm also curious about the reason for these ulcers happening. My lens fitter thinks it must be my lenses as the ulcers are very large, crescent shaped, along the line where the lens fits - same place on both eyes. But the hospital say no, but gave no real explanation, beyond something vague about me being sensitive to bacteria that most people aren't, when I pressed the last doc for info. From what I've seen on here, it's pretty common to get ulcers based on lens abrasion?
I had an ulcer over Xmas so I'm pretty fed up now, I want to avoid further occurences if I can but how do I if I don't know the cause? I find my lenses painful with lots of watering on a good day in the middle of winter, so I know it's only going to get worse now we're hitting pollen season! I'm figuring I just won't be able to keep going in my job because I'm a caseworker and need to visit people in their homes, we don't really have public transport here so I'm a bit stuffed without lenses really. I can't take another summer of miserable searing pain - of course if the ulcers keep up I won't even have that option!!!

Sorry for the lengthy post, any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Kerrie

[Andrew MacLean]

kerrie

I think that there are different causes of ulcers. sometimes they are caused by abbrasion, sometimes by bacteria and sometimes by a virus. I guess they are treating you for viral ulcers if they are giving you a steroid rather than an antibiotic.

It can be confusing, so I always ask my ophthalmologist what he is giving me and why; what he will do if this treatment does not succeed and how long I should expect to wait until I can see an improvement.

I carry a spiral back notepad where I write the questions AND the answers.

All the best


Andrew