Keratitis

Diagnosis

The following are usually involved in the diagnosis of keratitis:

• Eye exam.It’s crucial to have your eyes examined by your eye doctor, even though opening your eyes for the examination could hurt.
• Penlight exam.Using a penlight, your eye doctor may inspect your eye to measure the size, response, and other characteristics of your pupil. It’s possible to discolor the outside of your eye. When combined with light, this stain helps to highlight corneal surface damage.
• Slit-lamp exam.A slit lamp is a specialized tool that your eye doctor will use to examine your eyes. It offers a strong light source and magnification to identify the kind and severity of keratitis as well as any potential effects on other eye structures.
• Fluorescein stain test. Your eye will be dyed by your eye doctor, who will then examine it under a blue lamp.
• Laboratory analysis.In order to identify the cause of your keratitis and assist in making a treatment plan, your eye doctor may remove a sample of tears or some corneal cells for laboratory investigation.

Treatment

Noninfectious keratitis

The degree of noninfectious keratitis determines the course of treatment. For instance, artificial tear drops could be the only treatment for mild discomfort resulting from a corneal scratch. However, topical eye drugs can be required if severe tears and pain are being caused by keratitis.

Infectious keratitis

Depending on the infection’s source, there are different approaches to treating infectious keratitis.

• Bacterial keratitis.The main course of treatment for bacterial keratitis is antibiotic eye drops. Drop frequency can vary from about four times per day to every thirty minutes, even at night, depending on how severe the infection is. Oral antibiotics are occasionally added as supplements.
• Viral keratitis.Antiviral eye drops and oral antiviral drugs may be useful if a virus is the source of the infection. Other viruses just require supportive measures, like artificial tears.
• Fungal keratitis.Antifungal eye drops and oral antifungal drugs are usually needed for fungal-induced keratitis.
• Acanthamoeba keratitis.Treatment for keratitis brought on by the parasite acanthamoeba might be challenging. Although antiparasitic eye drops are utilized, treatment for some acanthamoeba infections may take many months due to their resistance to medication. A corneal transplant may be necessary in severe cases of acanthamoeba keratitis.

Your eye doctor can suggest a corneal transplant if your keratitis is unresponsive to treatment or if it results in irreversible corneal damage that seriously reduces your vision.