(252) 648-0409
  • Make A Payment
  • Directions
  • Job Openings
Patient Information

The Surgical Center of Morehead CityThe Surgical Center of Morehead City

  • For Patients
    • Specialties
    • Keeping You Safe During COVID-19
    • How to Prepare for Surgery
    • Patient Forms
    • Patient Registration
    • Insurance and Billing
    • CareCredit
    • Request an Appointment
  • Find a Physician
  • Total Joint Replacement
    • Total Hip Replacement Surgery
    • Total Knee Replacement Surgery
    • Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement
    • Your Cost Solution
    • Your Recovery Solution
  • Conditions
  • For Physicians
  • About Us

Corneal Infections

Overview

A corneal infection, or keratitis, occurs when the cornea is damaged by a foreign object, by bacteria or by fungi from a contaminated contact lens. Keratitis can cause painful inflammation and lead to corneal scarring.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

The symptoms of a corneal infection include:

  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • An itchy/burning feeling in your eye

The deeper the infection, the more painful the symptoms will be.

Treatment/Procedures

For minor infections, keratitis is generally treated with anti-bacterial drops. More severe infections require stronger antibiotics or anti-fungal treatment. Steroid drops may also be used to control inflammation.

If corneal scarring occurs, it can lead to loss of vision or even blindness, which may require a Corneal Transplant.

Prevention

Contact lens wearers are at higher risk of corneal infection than people who don’t wear lenses, so proper contact care is vital. Protective eyewear should be worn during activities that could accidentally throw particles or other foreign bodies into the eye.

ACL Repair Abdominal Pain Achalasia Anorectal Disease Arthritis Barrett's Esophagus Bile Duct Disorders Bunions Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cataracts Celiac Disease Chronic Back Pain Chronic Diarrhea Chronic Liver Disease Cirrhosis Colon & Colorectal Cancer Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Constipation Corneal Dystrophy Corneal Infections Crohn's Disease Diabetic Retinopathy Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Droopy Eyelids (Ocular Plastics) Dry Eye Epidural Steroid Injection Esophageal Cancer Esophageal Varices Esophagitis and Stricture Fecal Incontinence Gallstones Gastrointestinal and Gastroenterologist Glaucoma: “The Sneak Thief of Sight” Hammer Toes Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD Heel Spurs (Plantar Fasciitis) Helicobacter Pylori (Stomach Infection) Hemorrhoids Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hernias Hiatal Hernia Inflammatory Bowel Disease Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Jaundice Keratoconus Liver Cancer Liver Disease Macular Degeneration Malabsorption Morbid Obesity Ocular Herpes Orthopedic Injuries Osteoporosis Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic Cysts Pancreatitis Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) Periocular Skin Cancer Posterior Vitreous Detachment Pterygium Rectal Bleeding Reflux Esophagitis Refractive Errors (Vision Problems) Retinal Detachment Rotator Cuff Repair Shingles Silent Reflux (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) Spine Injury Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Stomach Problems and Swallowing Problems Stomach Ulcers Strictures Ulcerative Colitis
  • Contact Us
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Notice of Privacy Practices
  • Terms of Service
  • Internet Privacy Policy
  • Billing Disclosure

The Surgical Center of Morehead City
3714 Guardian Avenue, Suite W,
Morehead City, NC 28557

© 2023 The Surgical Center of Morehead City