Could This Be a Corneal Ulcer?
I’m a 33-year-old woman who recently made the mistake of wearing my daily contact lenses for several consecutive days without removing them. I realize this was unwise and I now regret that decision. This morning, after finally taking them out, I noticed a white spot on my iris. I’m quite worried that it might be a corneal ulcer. Fortunately, I don’t experience any pain or changes in my vision.
Answers (1)
6/16/2025, 4:40:35 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about your eye health, especially after wearing contact lenses for too long. While the appearance of a white spot on your iris could suggest a corneal ulcer or other issues, your lack of pain and vision changes are positive signs. However, monitoring this carefully is essential.
Corneal ulcers can develop due to prolonged contact lens use because they may cause irritation or introduce infections. That said, they can also result from other factors, such as dry eyes or allergies. Since you are not currently experiencing pain or changes in vision, we can approach this situation prudently.
Next Steps:
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Avoid Contact Lenses: Stop wearing your contact lenses immediately, at least until you resolve this issue. Consider wearing glasses for the time being.
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Protect Your Eyes: Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, and steer clear of irritants such as smoke, dust, or strong winds.
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Observe Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms over the next few days. Monitor for any new signs like increased redness, pain, tearing, or changes in vision.
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Consult Eye Care Professional: If the white spot remains, increases in size, or you develop pain or other worrying symptoms, it’s important to seek advice from an eye care professional for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
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Practice Good Hygiene: Always ensure proper hygiene when handling contact lenses. Clean and store them as instructed and avoid wearing them for longer than the recommended duration in the future.
Taking these steps should help you manage your situation safely. Please remember that your eye health is important, and it's always better to be cautious with such issues. Let me know if you have any more questions or need further assistance!
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