How to Treat Infectious Keratitis
Symptoms of infectious keratitis include eye redness, pain, and decreased vision. The condition can lead to permanent vision loss if it is not treated early. This type of infection can be caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Depending on the cause, the treatment will vary.
The most common causes of infectious keratitis are bacteria and viruses. Infections are generally transmitted by touching the eye, eyelids, or cornea. The infection can also be triggered by contact with water or contaminated eye drops. In some cases, the infection is also transmitted by the use of contact lenses. There are also cases where the disease is caused by chemical burns or physical burns. Infectious keratitis is one of the most common causes of blindness in the United States and the world. This disease affects about one million patients each year. It is estimated that contact lens wear plays a major role in infectious keratitis.
Infectious keratitis can be treated by a number of measures, including topical antibiotics, topical antiviral medications, and topical steroid eye drops. However, the best results are achieved with treatment that is tailored to the particular etiology. It is also important to keep in mind that some infectious keratitis infections may not respond to medication. In addition, multidrug-resistant bacteria can complicate treatment.
Infectious keratitis usually starts with an epithelial defect or ulcer. Focal white infiltrates may also be present. These infiltrates have an epithelial demarcation and are accompanied by stromal inflammation. When the infection is caused by bacteria, the infiltrates are often suppurative and mucopurulent. Infections caused by fungi are typically treated with antifungal eye drops. In some cases, the disease may progress to a thinning of the cornea, which is called a corneal ulcer. In other cases, the infection may be more severe and may require a cornea transplant.
The diagnosis of infectious keratitis begins with a complete eye examination and history. In some cases, a test called PCR can help to identify the cause of the infection. In some cases, a culture of the corneal scrapes can also be used to determine the type of bacteria that is causing the keratitis.
Infectious eye diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. If the infection is caused by a virus, antiviral medication is usually prescribed. If it is caused by bacteria, the most common treatment is topical antibiotics. However, more severe cases may require oral antibiotics. In some cases, eye patches may be used to keep the affected area safe and promote the healing process. A slit lamp exam may also be used to determine the cause of the infection. The most common risk factors for infectious keratitis include poor lid hygiene, contact lens wear, and ocular trauma. A patient can also be at risk if they have an immune system disorder or a medical condition that makes them more susceptible to infection.
Infectious keratitis may also be caused by parasites and chemicals. These parasites, bacteria, and chemicals may be present in water or contaminated eye drops. It is also possible that a person can develop infectious keratitis after exposure to ultraviolet light. For example, looking directly at a solar eclipse without eye protection can cause photokeratitis.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
