Bacterial Keratitis
Article Sections
Introduction
Bacterial keratitis is a serious infection of the cornea most commonly caused by improper contact lens use and corneal injury (eg, abrasion). Symptoms include severe eye pain, photophobia, mucopurulent discharge, and a foreign body sensation. A round, white corneal infiltrate is the characteristic examination finding. Patients require immediate ophthalmologic evaluation and broad-spectrum topical antibiotics to avoid vision-threatening complications (eg, corneal scarring, perforation).
Pathophysiology and risk factors
The cornea is the clear covering on the surface of the eye. In addition to its role in light refraction, the cornea provides a structural barrier to protect the eye from infection. The most common risk factors for infection of the cornea include:
- Improper contact lens use (eg, extended wear/poor hygiene)
- Corneal trauma (eg, abrasion): disrupts the epithelium and allows bacterial entry
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