When it comes to eye health, most of us worry about glasses, specs removal, or eye strain from screens. But there is one serious eye condition that often gets ignored – corneal infections! Keratitis, commonly known as corneal infection, can be serious as it can potentially lead to vision loss if left untreated. Therefore, it requires prompt medical attention.
In this blog, we will break down what corneal infections are, how they happen, what symptoms you should never ignore, and the treatments that can save your sight.
Understanding The Cornea
Think of your eye like a camera. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped “front glass” of your eye. Since it is transparent, it lets light in, and allows focusing. But because it is exposed to the outside world, it is also vulnerable to infections.
When germs like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites invade the cornea, it leads to a condition called Keratitis commonly known as corneal infection.
What Causes Corneal Infections?
There are many reasons why corneal infections happen. Listed below are the most common ones:
- Contact Lenses
Habits like not cleaning your lenses properly, sleeping in contact lenses, and swimming with them create a perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to enter the eye, thereby causing infections.
- Eye Injuries
Even a tiny scratch on the cornea caused by dust, nails, or makeup brushes can become an entry point for germs and cause infections.
- Viral Infections
The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) responsible for cold sores can infect the cornea too.
- Bacterial Infections
Bacteria like Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus spread rapidly in dirty contact lenses or injured eyes.
- Fungal Infections
This is common in people working outdoors where pollen, other plant material or soil enters the eye very frequently.
- Parasitic Infections
Acanthamoeba is a parasite found in water that can enter your eyes, especially from dirty contact lenses or unhygienic swimming pools. These infections are rare but dangerous.
Symptoms of Corneal Infections
Corneal infections often start subtly but can get serious in no time. You should look out for the following symptoms:
- Redness in the eye
- Intense pain or irritation
- Blurred or decreased vision
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light (Photophobia)
- A visible white or grey spot on the cornea
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
If you have any of these symptoms – especially after using contact lenses or getting an eye injury, you must consult an eye specialist immediately.
Prevention Of Corneal Infections
Better safe than sorry! Following are some preventive measures against corneal infections:
Eye Care Tips:
- Wash your hands before touching your eyes or contact lenses
- Never sleep with your contact lenses on
- Clean & store your lenses properly
- Avoid swimming or showering with contact lenses
- Use protective eyewear while working outdoors
- Do not ignore eye injuries – not even minor ones
- Go for regular eye checkups (especially if you use contact lenses regularly)
How Are Corneal Infections Detected
Diagnosis for corneal infections usually includes:
1. Comprehensive Eye Exams
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- Slit-Lamp Examination: Uses a specialized microscope to provide a detailed, magnified view of the cornea.
- Fluorescein Stain: A dye is applied to the cornea, which makes the corneal damage more visible under a special blue light.
- Visual Acuity Test: Assesses the patient’s vision to determine vision impairment (if any).
- Pupillary Response Test: Checks the pupils’ reaction to light that indicates nerve damage.
- Intraocular Pressure Measurement: The pressure inside the eyes is measured, to identify conditions like keratitis.
2. Laboratory Analysis:
- Corneal Scraping: A small sample of corneal tissue is taken for laboratory analysis.
- Culture and Sensitivity: The corneal sample is cultured to identify the specific type of bacteria, fungus, or virus causing the infection.
- In Vivo Confocal Microscopy: A high-resolution microscope is used to scan the cornea. It provides detailed images of individual cells.
- Other Tests: Depending on the suspected cause, other tests like Gram stain (to identify bacteria), or a KOH preparation (to look for fungi) may be performed.
Treatment Of Corneal Infections
It is important to understand that corneal infections are not something that will go away on their own. If left untreated, they can lead to permanent vision loss and corneal scarring. Therefore, timely treatment is necessary. The most popular corneal infection treatments include:
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Antibiotic or Antiviral Eye Drops
These are the first line of defence for bacterial eye infections and directly attack the infection.
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Antifungal Medications
These are used in fungal keratitis and may take a while to show visible results.
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Anti-Parasitic Treatment
These are special medications that target parasites like Acanthamoeba.
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Pain Relief & Healing Aids
Lubricating drops, steroids (in some cases), or oral medications may be prescribed to speed up healing.
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Corneal Surgery (In Severe Cases)
If the infection has severely damaged the cornea, procedures like Corneal Debridement (removing the infected tissue) or Corneal Transplant (replacing damaged cornea) may be performed.
The Final Word
There is a common misconception that corneal infections only happen to people with poor hygiene. Well, that’s not true! Even people with perfect hygiene can develop infections if they accidentally injure their eye or use contaminated products. Therefore, staying alert is key.
Something as simple as cleaning your lenses properly or not ignoring warning signs can save your vision. If you or a loved one is experiencing any unusual eye symptoms, do not wait. Consult an eye specialist immediately!
Happen to be looking for an eye hospital in Mohali? Sohana Hospital has got your eyes covered! Our expert ophthalmologists specialize in treating all types of corneal infections with the latest technology and personalized care.
