How Is Keratitis Treated?

Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea. It may or may not be a result of an infection. Minor injuries such as getting a foreign body in the eye or wearing contact lenses can cause noninfectious keratitis. Fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause infectious keratitis. 

Symptoms of Keratitis

• Decreased and blurred vision.
• Photophobia.
• A feeling of something foreign in your eyes.
• Eye pain and eye redness.
• Excess discharge or tears from your eyes.
• Difficulty in opening your eyelids.

When you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, you can schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Treatment of keratitis depends on the cause of the infection. After an examination, the eye doctor will prescribe medication depending on the cause of the condition. 

So, how is keratitis treated?

Treatment of Noninfectious Keratitis

Corneal scratches or other injuries may not require any treatment. The eye doctor may prescribe pain medication if there is significant pain or an antibiotic to speed up the healing process. You may need to wear an eye patch to protect the eyes during healing. 

Your healthcare provider will provide a Schirmer test to verify if dry eye syndrome is the cause of your keratitis symptoms. To measure the moisture, the doctor can insert a small strip of paper into the corner of the eyes. 

If dry eye symptom is the cause, your treatment will focus on moisturizing the eyes to relieve the symptoms. Moisture improves following the use of lubricating ointment and artificial tears. This condition is the least problematic, but in most cases, topical eye medication may be necessary if there is a concern for further complications.

Bacterial Keratitis

For mild cases, antibiotic eye drops are the primary treatment. For severe cases, oral antibiotics are used as supplements. The frequency of the drops can range from around four times a day and at night to every 30 minutes, depending on the severity of the keratitis. 

Fungal Keratitis

Fungi cause fungal keratitis. Your eye doctor will prescribe oral antifungal medication. They may also prescribe antifungal eye drops.

Viral Keratitis

Viral keratitis will require both antiviral eye drops and oral medication. Artificial eye drops are ideal if the virus is causing the eye to dry out. The virus, in other cases, may be stubborn and may reoccur.

Parasitic Keratitis

Acanthamoeba is a tiny parasite that causes parasitic keratitis. Even when treated with antibiotic eye drops, this form of keratitis can be resistant and stubborn. In severe cases, a cornea transplant may be the only viable treatment. There is a possibility of a loss of vision. Thus, your healthcare provider will be very aggressive in the treatment.

In cases where medication is ineffective and there is too much damage to the eyes, your doctor may determine you need a cornea transplant. Too much damage to the eye can occur when the patient delays the treatment for too long.

For more information on how to treat keratitis, visit Fier Eye Care & Surgery Center at our office in Port Saint Lucie or Stuart, Florida. Call (772) 400-2400 or 772-286-0007 to book an appointment today.