Infective keratitis or Infection of the cornea

Medium urgency
-Moderately severe

Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea, which is the transparent part of the eye. 

Among the most frequent causes are of infectious origin (bacterial, viral, fungi and parasites). Risk factors include the abuse of contact lenses, not following the recommended hygienic therapeutic indications, use of ocular corticosteroids, alteration of the immune system, etc. 

It usually produces intense ocular pain, foreign body sensation, eye redness, tearing, abnormal intolerance to light due to the discomfort or pain it produces and loss of vision. 

Diagnosis is made with a detailed clinical history, a complete ophthalmologic examination and cultures of the infected area. 

Infectious keratitis can progress rapidly and usually requires urgent antibacterial, antifungal or antiviral therapy to eliminate the pathogen.

Bibliographic references
  1. Deborah S Jacobs. Evaluation of the red eye. UpToDate. Feb 24, 2016.
  2. Collier SA, Gronostaj MP, MacGurn AK, et al. Estimated burden of keratitis--United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2014; 63:1027.
  3. Hindman HB, Patel SB, Jun AS. Rationale for adjunctive topical corticosteroids in bacterial keratitis. Arch Ophthalmol 2009; 127:97.
  4. Cohen EJ. The case against the use of steroids in the treatment of bacterial keratitis. Arch Ophthalmol 2009; 127:103.
  5. Ray KJ, Srinivasan M, Mascarenhas J, et al. Early addition of topical corticosteroids in the treatment of bacterial keratitis. JAMA Ophthalmol 2014; 132:737.
  6. Herretes S, Wang X, Reyes JM. Topical corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy for bacterial keratitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014; :CD005430.
Author
Dr. Elvira Moreno
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Eye pain


    Bothered by light


    Redness in only one eye


    Sudden loss of sight


    Eyelid with painful vesicles

Pre-hospital care recommendations

Consult with your primary care physician regarding the prescription of antibiotics.