Heal Your Corneal Ulcer with Innovative Prokera

The cornea is a part of your eye that takes in light and protects your eye. It has several layers that work together similarly to the layers of glass in a windshield and are highly effective at quickly healing themselves.

As the protective layer for your eyes, corneas are prone to various problems, like dryness, irritation, and infection. Corneal ulcers can threaten your vision without proper care. While there are things you can do to lower your risk of getting this condition, Prokera® is an option that can correct the problems these ulcers create and let the damage heal. 

If you live in the Pelham Gardens area of the Bronx, New York and you’re dealing with corneal ulcers or other eye conditions, the medical team at Bronx Eye Associates is here to help.

Corneal ulcer basics

A corneal ulcer is a wound-like sore that forms due to several infectious and noninfectious factors:

Infectious causes

Viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections can cause corneal ulcers. Bacteria is the most common, specifically the Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus species of bacterium which often infect injured corneas. 

Noninfectious causes 

Corneal ulcers can form from things like injury, excessive dryness, exposure to toxic substances, and immune system malfunctions. Other factors can increase your chances, such as contact lenses, conditions that affect your ability to close your eyes properly, type 2 diabetes, steroid eye drops, and a history of eye diseases.

Symptoms to look out for

Some signs may appear before you discover the ulcer, like itchy or watery eyes, pus-like discharges, burning or stinging sensations, sensitivity to light, and red or pink eye. 

Actual signs of the ulcer include blurred vision, excess tearing, eye inflammation, white spots on your cornea, swollen eyelids, and the feeling there is something in your eye. Any of these signs are serious enough to seek medical attention.

How Prokera helps

Prokera is a medical contact lens composed of a flexible, clear material with an amniotic membrane derived from fetal hyaluronic acid and human placenta. It works as a corneal bandage for the affected eye by protecting the cornea so it heals at a faster pace and with less pain while reducing scarring and inflammation during the process. 

They can also have antibacterial properties to reduce the risks of further infection, and can also be used to treat eye problems like chemical burns, keratitis, dry eye syndrome, recurrent corneal erosion, and corneal abrasions.

The process is painless and noninvasive and can be done in one appointment. Depending on the extent of the damage to your eye, the Prokera membrane should dissolve in a week, though we still need to remove it.

Damage to the cornea can be painful and affect vision long-term if not taken care of, so make an appointment with the team at Bronx Eye Associates today to get the treatment your eyes need.