Sunrise

Microbial Keratitis

Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea that is caused by bacteria. It mainly affects contact lens wearers, and sometimes individuals who do not wear contact lenses. There are two main types of bacteria that can cause this infection Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Pseudomonas bacteria can be found in soil and water while Staphylococcus aureus bacteria usually live on human skin and on the protective lining inside the body called the mucous membrane. The infection is not contagious however it is normally associated with increased day wear of contact lens, poor hand and lens hygiene, smoking, and ocular surface disease including corneal exposure, and corneal decompensation.

Ophthalmologist, Dr. Donald Cameron Swaby shares more about bacterial keratitis on Sunrise: Watch the full interview here:

The symptoms of bacterial keratitis include eye pain, eye redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, eye discharge and awareness of white or yellow spots on the cornea. Microbial keratitis is a potentially vision-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, bacterial keratitis can result in vision loss or blindness.
Risk factors associated with developing bacterial keratitis are wearing contact lenses (especially overnight or improper lenses hygiene), recent eye injury, weakened immune system and eye disease.