Bacterial Keratitis
Also known as Bacterial Corneal Infection, Microbial Keratitis, Contact Lens Keratitis, Infectious Keratitis, Cornea Infection
Bottom Line
Bacterial keratitis is a sight-threatening infection of the cornea. A painful red eye in a contact lens wearer needs same-day urgent eye care.
Bacterial keratitis infects the cornea, the clear front window of the eye. It can cause pain, redness, light sensitivity, discharge, and blurry vision 1.
Contact lens wear is a major risk factor. Sleeping in lenses, swimming in lenses, poor lens cleaning, or wearing lenses too long can let bacteria reach the cornea 2.
Treatment usually starts with frequent antibiotic eye drops. Severe cases may need cultures, fortified antibiotics, or cornea specialist care 3.
Symptoms
Bacterial keratitis symptoms usually feel more intense than simple pink eye.
- Eye pain. Pain can be moderate or severe.
- Redness. The eye often looks very red.
- Light sensitivity. Bright light may hurt.
- Blurred vision. This can happen if the cornea swells or ulcers.
- Discharge. Thick discharge can occur.
- White corneal spot. This can be an infected ulcer.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The eye doctor uses a slit lamp microscope to inspect the cornea. Fluorescein dye can show a wound on the eye's surface that will not heal.
Treatment depends on severity.
- Antibiotic drops. Drops may start every hour for serious ulcers.
- Corneal culture. The doctor may sample the ulcer to identify the germ.
- Pain control. Lubricants and other medicines can help comfort.
- No contact lenses. Contacts stay out until the doctor clears them.
- Cornea specialist care. Deep or central ulcers need close follow-up.
Modern reviews stress fast diagnosis and antimicrobial treatment for infectious keratitis 4.
Prevention
Safe contact lens habits lower risk.
- Do not sleep in lenses unless your doctor specifically says it is safe.
- Do not swim or shower in contact lenses.
- Wash and dry hands before touching lenses.
- Use fresh disinfecting solution each time.
- Replace the lens case often.
- Do not top off old solution.
- Stop lenses when the eye is red or painful.
Contact lens associated bacterial keratitis remains a major preventable cause of corneal infection 2.
Common Questions About Bacterial Keratitis
Next Steps
- 1Remove contact lenses right away if the eye is red or painful.
- 2Seek urgent eye care today for contact lens pain, a white corneal spot, light sensitivity, or blurry vision.
- 3Bring your contact lenses, case, and solution to the appointment.
- 4Use antibiotic drops exactly as prescribed if treatment starts.
- 5Go to the emergency room for chemical splash, severe trauma, sudden vision loss, or red eye in a newborn.
Find specialists for Bacterial Keratitis
Board-certified ophthalmologists who treat Bacterial Keratitis.
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