A corneal ulcer is an ocular emergency that raises high-stakes questions about diagnosis and management. Four corneal experts provide a guide to diagnostic differentiators and timely treatment, focusing on the types of ulcers most likely to appear in your waiting room. When a large corneal ulcer is staring you in the face, time is not on your side.
Siderosis, also called welder's lung, is a lung disease caused by breathing in iron or iron oxide dust. Siderosis is considered to be an occupational illness because people breathe in the iron dust at work. The condition usually shows up on X-rays as small, opaque spots on the worker's lungs.
Necrosis is the death of body tissue. It occurs when too little blood flows to the tissue. This can be from injury, radiation, or chemicals. Necrosis cannot be reversed. When large areas of tissue die due to a lack of blood supply, the condition is called gangrene.