Keratitis

Key facts

• Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, the clear dome at the front of the eye, from a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection, or a non-infectious cause like dry eyes or UV exposure.
• Contact lens wear, especially sleeping in lenses or cleaning them with non-sterile water, is the leading risk factor. Corneal injury from grit, plant material, or fingernails can also let infection in.
• Treatment depends on the cause: bacterial keratitis needs intensive eye care antibiotic drops such as ofloxacin; fungal, viral, and parasitic forms each need their own targeted drops.
• Untreated keratitis can scar the cornea and permanently affect vision, so prompt treatment matters.

What brings it on

Contact lens wear is the leading risk factor, particularly sleeping in lenses or rinsing them with non-sterile water. Warm, humid conditions favour the fungal species that cause mycotic keratitis, and outdoor and agricultural work raises exposure to plant material that can scratch the cornea. Corneal injuries from grit or fingernails open the door to bacterial infection, and a previous herpes simplex infection commonly triggers viral recurrence.

Treating the infection

Treatment targets the underlying cause. Bacterial keratitis is typically managed with intensive fluoroquinolone eye drops; ofloxacin is part of this class and is widely used within eye care treatment. Fungal forms need antifungal drops, viral forms need antivirals, and acanthamoeba keratitis requires a specific antiseptic protocol matched to the parasite.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly, the same day if possible, for worsening eye pain, a white spot on the cornea, sudden changes in vision, or marked light sensitivity. These signs suggest the infection is progressing and needs urgent assessment to protect your sight.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.