Mooren’s Ulcer
Evidence: Unconfirmed
Names
Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis
Corneal Ulcer
Description
Mooren’s Ulcer is a chronic eye condition that causes inflammation where the eye’s covering (cornea) joins with the white part of the eye (sclera). This type of inflammation is called Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis (PUK). These persistent peripheral ulcers of the cornea often spread into and around the eye. There are several variants of this disorder:
Aggressive Bilateral Mooren’s Ulcers patients usually have an ulcer in one eye and congestion or discharge in the other eye. Pain is milder, and grey patches may develop within 2 mm of the border between the cornea and the white of the eye (limbus).
Bilateral Indolent Mooren’s Ulcers affect both eyes, with one eye typically showing more severity. Discomfort may occur with minimal inflammation.
Unilateral Mooren’s ulcers can occur in one or both eyes and is excessively painful. Redness and congestion are apparent, but inflammation is seen within 3 mm of the limbus.
Mooren’s Ulcer is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, but more research is needed. The condition can be benign, with few symptoms and low risk of complications, or malignant, with severe symptoms. Without medical care, malignant cases may lead to vision loss, but treatments are available to prevent this.
Bloggers
None found.
Prevalence
US Cases: No data found.
Typical Age of onset
The average age of onset for a Mooren’s Ulcer is 48 years old. However, the different types of Mooren’s ulcerations can present at different ages:
Unilateral Mooren’s Ulcerations typically occurs in elderly patients over the age of 60.
Aggressive Bilateral Mooren’s Ulcers may occur in younger patients between the ages of 14 and 40.
Indolent Bilateral Mooren’s Ulcerations typically occur in middle aged patients in their early to middle 50s.
Symptoms
Eye pain
Eye Redness
Inflammation
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Tearing
Blurriness of vision
Eye Discharge
Peripheral Ulcerations
