Corneal Infections and Ulcers (Keratitis)
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Symptoms and Diagnosis
Recognizing symptoms quickly and getting professional care enables accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Our Oakland office uses slit‑lamp biomicroscopy and modern imaging for precise assessment.
Symptoms include eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, blurred or decreased vision, tearing, discharge, and a foreign‑body sensation. Sudden severe pain or rapid vision change should be evaluated immediately.
Diagnosis involves a detailed history, vision testing, and slit‑lamp examination with fluorescein staining. In serious or atypical cases, corneal scrapings and cultures guide customized therapy.
Dr. Hilal‑Campo combines advanced diagnostic tools with a detailed, explanatory approach, tailoring testing and treatment to each patient’s needs.
Urgent evaluation is needed for severe pain, sudden vision changes, marked redness, or a white spot on the cornea. Same‑day and emergency appointments are available at our practice.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on cause and severity. Care often begins with frequent topical therapy and is adjusted as test results return. Close follow‑up ensures progress and preserves long‑term vision.
Initial therapy often includes topical broad‑spectrum antibiotics for suspected bacterial ulcers, later refined by culture results. Antiviral or antifungal drops are used when those causes are suspected or confirmed.
Many cases require frequent dosing (sometimes hourly at first). Treatments may include dilating drops for comfort and to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids may be cautiously introduced for some bacterial ulcers after infection control, but are avoided in suspected fungal, Acanthamoeba, or atypical infections.
Vision‑threatening ulcers may require fortified antibiotic drops, hospital-based therapy, or surgical intervention. In advanced scarring or non-healing cases, corneal transplantation can restore clarity or maintain structural integrity.
Supportive therapy can include preservative‑free artificial tears and, in select cases, protective bandage lenses. Optimizing the ocular surface helps promote healing.
Frequent visits track healing, monitor scarring, and guide adjustments in therapy. Plans are refined based on test results and patient progress.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions help patients understand when to seek care and what to expect during treatment and recovery.
Yes. Keratitis can threaten vision if untreated. Sudden pain, decreased vision, or a white spot on the cornea require same‑day evaluation.
Mild cases may improve within several days once proper treatment begins. More severe or centrally located ulcers can take weeks of care and monitoring.
No. Contact lenses must be discontinued until recovery is complete and clearance is given, as wearing them can worsen infection and slow healing.
Steroid drops may sometimes be added only after a clear response to antibiotic treatment in bacterial ulcers. They should never be used for fungal, Acanthamoeba, or atypical infections.
Most patients recover with medical treatment alone. However, very severe or scarred cases may require corneal transplantation to restore clarity or preserve ocular structure.
Schedule an appointment
If you have urgent symptoms or need a comprehensive evaluation, call Diane Hilal‑Campo, MD & Associates at (201) 337‑9300. New patients are welcome at our Oakland office, serving Bergen, Passaic, and Essex County.
