Mold exposure is an environmental hazard that most people associate with respiratory problems, but it can also cause serious damage to the eyes. At Insight Vision Optometry, Las Vegas, our specialty cornea team has treated patients with complex corneal conditions caused by mold exposure, including difficult-to-treat corneal ulcers that result in lasting scar tissue.
Black mold and other environmental molds can release spores and toxins that irritate the eyes on contact. In some cases, mold exposure leads to a fungal or inflammatory corneal ulcer, which is an open sore on the cornea. Corneal ulcers caused by mold exposure can be particularly challenging to treat because the organism may not grow in standard laboratory cultures, making it difficult to identify the exact cause and select the right medication.
Symptoms of a mold-related corneal ulcer may include:
If you develop any of these symptoms after known mold exposure, seek prompt evaluation from an eye doctor. Corneal ulcers can progress quickly, and early treatment is critical to preserving vision.
Treatment for a corneal ulcer caused by mold exposure often involves a combination of approaches. Depending on the case, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral eye drops, and in some instances oral medications or steroid drops to control inflammation. When standard treatments do not produce adequate results, advanced options such as amniotic membrane therapy may be considered. An amniotic membrane is a biological tissue graft placed on the surface of the eye to promote healing and reduce inflammation. In patients with resistant corneal ulcers, amniotic membrane therapy can slow or stop the progression of the ulcer and support tissue recovery.
Even with successful treatment, many patients are left with significant corneal scar tissue. This scar tissue distorts the surface of the cornea and can dramatically reduce vision. It is not uncommon for patients recovering from a severe corneal ulcer to have vision in the range of 20/400 or worse in the affected eye.
Once the corneal ulcer has healed and the eye is stable, the next step is often fitting the patient with a scleral contact lens. Scleral lenses are large-diameter gas permeable lenses that vault entirely over the cornea and rest on the sclera, the white part of the eye. They serve two important purposes for patients with corneal scarring:
Over time, this constant lubrication can actually help corneal scar tissue continue to improve. Patients who wear their scleral lenses consistently often see gradual reductions in scar density and corresponding improvements in vision. It is not unusual for a patient who started at 20/400 to eventually achieve 20/25 or even 20/20 through a well-fitted scleral lens.
If you have been exposed to black mold and are experiencing eye irritation, pain, redness, or any change in vision, do not wait for symptoms to resolve on their own. Corneal ulcers are considered an eye emergency and require prompt professional evaluation. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.
Patients with existing corneal scars who are struggling with blurred or distorted vision should also consider a scleral lens evaluation. Dr. Stephanie Woo, OD, FAAO, FSLS, and the specialty cornea team at Insight Vision Optometry, Las Vegas have extensive experience fitting scleral lenses for complex corneal conditions. To schedule an evaluation, call 702-747-4070 or visit www.insightvisionlv.com.
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