Infectious Keratitis Treatment

Name: Infectious Keratitis
Brand: Eye Surgeons of Indiana
Rating: 5 (4602 reviews)

Infectious keratitis is a serious, sight-threatening infection of the cornea, the clear dome-shaped surface at the front of your eye. It usually develops quickly, often with significant pain, redness, or blurred vision. Because this condition can progress rapidly, timely, expert treatment is essential to protecting the cornea and preventing permanent vision loss.

Expert Diagnosis and Rapid Care to Protect Your Vision

At Eye Surgeons of Indiana, our highly trained cornea specialists provide immediate evaluation, precise diagnosis, and advanced medical and surgical treatments. We prioritize your comfort, your long-term vision, and your full recovery.

What Is Infectious Keratitis?

Keratitis simply means inflammation of the cornea. When the inflammation is caused by an infection, it is called infectious keratitis. These infections may be caused by:

Bacteria: the most common cause, often related to contact lens wear
Viruses: such as herpes simplex (HSV) or varicella-zoster
Fungi: typically associated with plant or soil matter
Acanthamoeba: a rare but severe parasite, especially in contact lens users exposed to contaminated water

Because the cornea bends and focuses light, any disruption, especially an ulcer or infection, can significantly affect vision.

Common Symptoms of Infectious Keratitis

Patients typically report sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms such as:

Severe eye pain
Redness or swelling
A white spot or ulcer on the cornea
Light sensitivity
Blurred or decreased vision
Discharge or tearing
A sensation that something is stuck in the eye

If any of these symptoms occur, prompt treatment is critical. Delays can lead to deeper infection, scarring, or even perforation of the cornea.

What Causes Infectious Keratitis?

Bacterial Keratitis

Often linked to:

Sleeping in contact lenses
Poor lens hygiene
Eye trauma
Contaminated water exposure

Bacterial infections progress very quickly and require urgent evaluation.

Viral Keratitis

Most commonly caused by:

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Shingles (varicella-zoster)

Viral keratitis may recur and typically requires long-term monitoring.

Fungal Keratitis

More common after:

Outdoor eye injuries with plant matter
Exposure to soil or organic material
Use of topical steroids that weaken the immune response

Fungal infections often progress slowly but can be difficult to treat.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis

A rare but devastating infection associated with:

Contact lenses exposed to tap water, hot tubs, or lakes
Homemade lens solutions

Acanthamoeba is a microscopic, free-living organism that can cause intense pain when it begins to multiply in or colonize the eye and requires highly specialized treatment.

How We Diagnose Infectious Keratitis

Accurate diagnosis is essential because each type of infection requires a different treatment approach. At Eye Surgeons of Indiana, we use:

Comprehensive slit-lamp examination to detect ulcers, infiltrates, and inflammation.
Corneal scrapings or cultures to identify bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites.
In-office imaging to assess corneal depth and the extent of involvement.

Because every hour matters for corneal infections, we move quickly from diagnosis to treatment.

Schedule a Consultation

Infectious Keratitis Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the infection. Our specialists tailor each plan individually for the safest and most effective recovery.

Medical Therapy (First-Line Treatment)

Antibiotic Eye Drops

Specific antibiotic eye drops are used for bacterial keratitis, often in strong, “fortified” formulations. In severe cases, drops may be required every hour initially.

Antiviral Medication

For infections caused by HSV or shingles, antiviral medication is used, including both topical drops and oral medication.

Antifungal Drops

These address fungal keratitis, which may require longer treatment courses.

Anti-Acanthamoeba Therapy

Specialized drops for Acanthamoeba target the parasite over weeks to months.

I am happy with my care. They are compassionate, knowledgeable and caring.

L.J.

Professional & friendly all the way from  check-in to surgeon. Best run office I’ve ever been to. Surgery & sight as promised.

Anne H.

Had a visit with Dr. Morrow today and he was very thorough and helpful. I’d recommend this establishment to anyone.

Aron J.

Very efficient. Wait time limited and they  got me in quickly. Went above and beyond to make sure I was attended to.

MJ K.

Very good experience. The best part was meeting the team everyone was so friendly. And I like the Dr I had. He was very thorough.

Delores B.

I am thrilled with the level of service that  I have received. All staff members have been excellent to work with.

Clay O.

Surgical Treatment When Needed

Most patients recover with medical therapy alone, but some cases require surgery:

Corneal Debridement

Removing infected tissue to help medication penetrate more effectively.

Amniotic Membrane Therapy

Biologic tissue may be placed over the cornea to promote healing and reduce inflammation.

Corneal Transplant

Used when severe infections cause scarring, thinning, or perforation. Options include:

Full-thickness corneal transplant
Partial-thickness transplant

Our surgeons have performed thousands of corneal procedures, ensuring excellent long-term outcomes, and can discuss the right approach should this be necessary.

When to Seek Treatment for Keratitis

You should contact us immediately if you experience:

Sudden worsening pain
Decreased or blurry vision
Redness that does not improve
Discharge or swelling
A new white or cloudy spot on your eye
Any symptoms following contact lens wear

We cannot stress enough that keratitis is an emergency. Even mild symptoms can quickly progress. Same-day appointments for urgent symptoms are always available at Eye Surgeons of Indiana for situations like this.

Your Experience at Eye Surgeons of Indiana

We understand that eye infections can be concerning; with proper care, they can be managed. Our team is committed to:

Clear explanations at every step
Fast diagnosis using advanced testing
A personalized treatment plan
Close follow-up to ensure complete healing
Long-term monitoring to protect your vision

We walk with you through every phase of recovery, from the first exam to your final follow-up. After nearly 30 years of serving our patients, you can trust us to do what is right. We are here for you.

Importance of Continued Care

Even after the infection clears, ongoing care is essential. Some infections can:

Leave residual inflammation
Increase the risk of corneal thinning
Trigger recurrence (especially viral keratitis)
Lead to scarring that affects vision

Routine checkups help ensure long-term corneal clarity and prevent complications.

Get the Care You Need Today Protect Your Sight

Infectious keratitis can progress quickly, but with expert care, your vision can be protected. At Eye Surgeons of Indiana, our cornea specialists deliver immediate, compassionate, and highly skilled treatment tailored to your needs.