See Corneal Abrasion

Corneal Abrasions can become infected by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This is because the healthy epithelium is a barrier to infection. When the epithelium is damaged in abrasions, germs can take advantage of this situation and start a dangerous infection. This type of infection is called a Corneal Ulcer.

Corneal ulcers are very serious. Most ulcers can be controlled with intensive medical treatment, but a scar usually will remain. If the scar is not in a critical area, it may not result is a serious decrease in vision. However, an ulcer in a critical region of the cornea can result in a devastating loss of vision. In such cases, cornea transplantation might be necessary to restore some of the affected eye's visual potential.

See Corneal Transplant