A Complete Guide to Keratitis Treatment and Prevention

Keratitis is a painful eye condition. It is a medical term for inflammation of the cornea, the transparent top layer of the eye.

Keratitis can result from an injury or infection, making your vision blurry and increasing light sensitivity.

Keratitis can be broadly classified into two categories: infectious and noninfectious. The cause of infectious Keratitis may be bacteria, viruses, or a fungal infection.

Whereas noninfectious Keratitis can result from an eye injury.

Whether infectious or noninfectious, Keratitis can cause discomfort and affect vision. Prompt treatment of Keratitis can help relieve this discomfort and protect your vision.

This article will delve into various Keratitis treatment options to help you improve your knowledge of the condition. We will also discuss how to prevent Keratitis.

Treatment for Keratitis

When it comes to treating Keratitis, the approach depends on its type, whether it’s noninfectious or infectious.

Infectious Keratitis treatment can further depend on whether the cause is bacteria, fungal, viral, or Acanthamoeba.

Let us discuss the treatment options for each in detail.

Noninfectious Keratitis Treatment

Noninfectious Keratitis can occur due to an injury, a foreign object in the eye, or wearing contact lenses for too long.

Typically, mild noninfectious Keratitis tends to clear up on its own. An eye care specialist may recommend artificial tears to relieve Keratitis symptoms like redness, soreness, and irritation.

Steroid eye drops may be helpful to relieve swelling caused by Keratitis.

Infectious Keratitis Treatment

This section will discuss the treatment options for various kinds of infectious Keratitis. Different types of infectious Keratitis include bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic.

• Bacterial Keratitis is considered an ocular emergency as it can progress rapidly and result in severe complications. Primarily, antibiotic eyedrops like Tobramycin can treat bacterial infection and improve Keratitis symptoms.
• Fungal Keratitis is generally treated with Natamycin, a first choice treatment for the condition. It is available in the form of eye drops, used at every half to one-hour interval. The response to treatment is generally slow and requires 4 to 8 weeks of treatment.
• Viral Keratitis is generally treated with antiviral eyedrops and medications. Supportive care, such as a warm compress and artificial tear drops, could fasten the healing process.
• Acanthamoeba Keratitis can be difficult to treat because of the formation of cyst form.

Treatment generally includes the use of topical cationic antiseptic agents such as Chlorhexidine. The treatment process may last for about six months to one year.

If there is permanent cornea damage or Keratitis is unresponsive to medications, the doctor may recommend a cornea transplant.

Keratitis Prevention

Preventing Keratitis is crucial for maintaining eye health. Here are some practical steps to help protect your eyes

• Maintain proper eye hygiene if you wear contact lenses, follow a strict hygiene regimen, and avoid sleeping with your lenses in
• Schedule routine eye exams to detect and address eye issues early
• Use safety goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes from irritants, especially in windy or dusty environments\

Final Outlook

Keratitis is an eye condition that affects the cornea. In Keratitis, the cornea becomes inflamed, which can cause discomfort and eye pain.

It is important to seek prompt medical treatment to protect your vision if you experience Keratitis symptoms.

Treatment of noninfectious Keratitis involves using artificial tears to relieve symptoms like redness and irritation. Steroid eye drops may help relieve swelling.

Treatment of infectious Keratitis depends on the underlying cause. For bacterial infections, antibiotic eyedrops may be effective.

Natamycin eyedrops can effectively treat fungal Keratitis. 

Symptoms of Keratitis caused by viruses can be relieved with antiviral medications, while topical cationic antiseptic can treat parasitic Keratitis.

Additional care, such as using artificial tears and maintaining hygiene, can support the medical treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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