Bacterial Keratitis

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Article initiated by:

Ana Bartolomei MD

All contributors:

Brad H. Feldman, M.D., Alex Kozak, Vatinee Y. Bunya, MD, MSCE, Maria A. Woodward, MD, Nambi Nallasamy, MD, Erica Bernfeld M.D., Bharat Gurnani MBBS,DNB,FCRS,FICO(UK), FAICO (Cornea, AIIMS, AIOS), FAICO (Refractive Surgery, AIIMS, AIOS), MRCS (Ed), MNAMS, Ana Bartolomei MD, Masako Chen, MD

Assigned editor:

Masako Chen, MD

Review:

Assigned status Update Pending

 by Masako Chen, MD on October 14, 2024.

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Keratitis

Bacterial keratitis with stromal infiltrate and hypopyon (Courtesy of Robert S. Feder, MD.)

ICD-10

H16.0

ICD-9

370.01

MedlinePlus

001032

MeSH

D003320

Disease Entity

2022 ICD-10

• H16.013 Central corneal ulcer, bilateral
• H16.011 Central corneal ulcer, right eye
• H16.012 Central corneal ulcer, left eye

Disease

Bacterial keratitis is also often referred to as a "corneal ulcer." In practice, these terms are not directly interchangeable, because a cornea may harbor a bacterial infection (ie, bacterial keratitis) without having a loss of tissue (an ulcer) and a cornea may have an ulcer without a bacterial infection.

Bacterial keratitis is a serious bacterial infection of the cornea that can, in severe cases, cause loss of vision.

Etiology

Although infectious ulcers may also be due to fungi, viruses, mycobacteria, and protozoa, bacteria are the most common cause of infectious keratitis. Both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms are implicated as causative agents. About 80% of bacterial keratitis is caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas species, though prevalence can depend on geographic regions. Certain bacteria, which include Neisseria, Corynebacterium, Shigella, and Listeria are known to penetrate the intact epithelium. Polymicrobial infections can occur, up to 43% in 1 study.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for bacterial keratitis are those that cause disruption of the integrity of the corneal epithelium. The most common risk factor for bacterial keratitis is contact lens wear. Contact lens wear has been associated with 19%-42% of cases of culture-proven corneal infections. Overnight wear and inadequate lens disinfection have been associated with increased risk of infection. Other predisposing factors include trauma (including foreign bodies and chemical and thermal injuries), contaminated ocular solutions, changes in the corneal surface (from dry eye, eyelid misdirection, and exposure), altered ocular defense mechanisms (from topical and systemic immune suppression), loose sutures with adjacent infections (blepharitis and viral keratitis), and corneal edema. In younger patients, trauma and contact lens wear are the most common predisposing factors, while in older patients, chronic corneal disease such as dry eyes, surgical trauma, and bullous keratopathy are also important risk factors.

General Pathology

Bacterial keratitis can advance through 4 stages: progressive infiltration, active ulceration, regression, and healing.

Pathophysiology

Corneal infections rarely occur in the normal eye. They are a result of an alteration in the cornea’s defense mechanisms that allow bacteria to invade when an epithelial defect is present. The organisms may come from the tear film or as a contaminant from foreign bodies, contact lenses, or irrigating solutions. The severity of the disease depends on the strain of the organism, the size of the inoculum, the susceptibility of the host, and the immune response, the antecedent therapy, and the duration of the infection. The process of corneal destruction can take place rapidly (within 24 hours with virulent organisms), so rapid recognition and initiation of treatment is imperative to prevent visual loss.

Primary Prevention

Avoidance of predisposing factors may reduce the risk of corneal infection. Proper education regarding contact lens use and care can help decrease the risk. The use of protective eyewear for sports and outdoor activities can help prevent trauma and the subsequent development of infection.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of bacterial keratitis should include a detailed history and a complete ophthalmic examination.

History

A detailed history is as important as the examination. Physicians should take a detailed history and ask about the characteristics and onset of symptoms, whether there was recent trauma to the eye, and whether the patient engaged in activities such as swimming in contact lenses. Patients should be asked about contact lens wear (including type of lens used, time since the last change to a new pair of lenses, hours of continuous wear, and cleaning regimen). A past ocular history should include whether there was a history of eye trauma, previous eye diseases (such as viral keratitis), or eye surgeries. A past medical history (history of diabetes), a list of medications and eye drops, a documentation of allergies, a pertinent family history, a substance abuse history, and a review of systems should be obtained.

Physical Examination

A complete examination including vision, intraocular pressure, pupil assessment, and slit-lamp examination should be initiated. Fluorescein can be used to highlight areas of epithelial cell loss. The ophthalmologist should document the location, size, and depth of the corneal infiltrate. Any anterior chamber reaction (cells, flare, fibrin, or hypopyon), should be recorded. Patients' eyes should be dilated, and possible posterior pole involvement should be ruled out. If the posterior pole cannot be visualized, ultrasonography should be performed. The ophthalmologist should also test corneal sensation, proper eyelid closure, eyelids and lashes, and nasolacrimal apparatus to look for risk factors for infection. Both eyes should always be examined.

Signs

Signs of bacterial keratitis might include conjunctival injection and focal white infiltrates (with epithelial demarcation and underlying stromal inflammation). Other signs can include corneal thinning, stromal edema, and endothelial inflammatory plaque, Descemet folds, mucopurulent discharge, anterior chamber reaction, and hypopyon. Eyelid edema may be present in some cases. In severe cases, posterior synechiae, hyphema, and glaucoma may occur.

Symptoms

Symptoms include rapid onset of ocular pain, redness, photophobia, discharge, and decreased vision. The rate of progression of the symptoms is related to the virulence of the infecting organism.

Clinical Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical history and slit-lamp examination showing the presence of a corneal infiltrate.

Diagnostic Procedures

Corneal scrapings for Gram and Giemsa staining and cultures are performed to determine the causative organism in all ulcers that are either large (>2mm), involve the middle to deep stroma, are sight threatening, are chronic in nature, are atypical, or are unresponsive to treatment. Small infiltrates that do not stain may sometimes be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics without scraping.

Corneal scrapings can be performed using a 57 blade, beaver blade, or sterile Kimura spatula after administration of topical anesthetic. An eyelid speculum can be used for exposure if the patient tolerates it. Samples should be directly inoculated onto culture media, to increase yield. Typical culture media should include chocolate agar, blood agar, Sabouraud agar, non-nutrient agar (with E coli overlay for acanthamoeba), and thioglycollate broth.

Corneal biopsies should be considered if patient is unresponsive to treatment or culture results s are negative despite high clinical suspicion for infectious etiology. This can be performed at the slit lamp or in the operating room using a small 2-3 mm dermatologic punch and crescent blade at the edge of the ulcer. Performing a biopsy of the central cornea should be avoided.

Suture pass cultures can be obtained for deep stromal ulcers, especially if the overlying epithelium appears intact or uninvolved. A 7-0 or 8-0 vicryl or silk suture can be passed through the deep abscess, cut into smaller pieces using sterile scissors and plated onto culture media.

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis of bacterial keratitis is large. Other infectious etiologies must be considered. Noninfectious (or sterile) ulcers may be related to dry eye syndrome, exposure or neurotrophic keratopathy, autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis), vernal keratoconjunctivitis, vitamin A deficiency, and staphylococcal hypersensitivity. Round, white scars from old foreign bodies may be confused with small infiltrates.

Management

General treatment

Contact lenses should be discontinued. Topical antibiotic drops should be prescribed. Oral antibiotics may be considered for patients with deep ulcers or scleral involvement. Oral medication can be used, as needed, for pain. Oral antivirals should be started if viral keratitis is suspected as the underlying etiology.

Medical therapy

Topical broad spectrum antibiotic therapy should be used until culture results are available. Treatment may be selected according to the risk of potential visual loss. Small non-staining peripheral ulcers may be started on fluoroquinolone drops every 2 to 6 hours. For ulcers with epithelial defects and an anterior chamber reaction, a fluoroquinolone drop every hour around the clock is recommended. Large or vision-threatening ulcers (with moderate to severe anterior chamber reaction and/or involving the visual axis) should be cultured, then treated with fortified tobramycin or gentamicin (15 mg/mL) every hour around the clock, alternating with fortified vancomycin (25-50 mg/mL) every hour around the clock. Sensitivity testing should be used to guide de-escalation of broad-spectrum fortified antibiotics to more targeted therapy.

Cycloplegia is recommended in patients with significant anterior chamber reaction for pain control and prevention of posterior synechia formation. Intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering therapy should be initiated if IOP is elevated.

Topical corticosteroids can be considered 24-48 hours after topical antibiotics if the causative organism is identified or there is a demonstrated response to topical antibiotics. A subgroup analysis of the Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial (SCUT) found that the addition of topical corticosteroids within 2 to 3 days of antibiotic therapy, versus 4 or more days, resulted in a 1-line better visual acuity at 3 months, compared with placebo. However, corticosteroids should be avoided in cases of Acanthamoeba, Nocardia, and fungus.

Oral doxycycline and vitamin C supplementation can be considered in severe cases to prevent keratolysis.

Corneal crosslinking is an emerging treatment option for refractory cases of bacterial keratitis. Photoexcitation of riboflavin or rose bengal is being studied regarding its germicidal properties and ability to strengthen collagen fibrils to prevent corneal melt.

Medical follow-up

Daily follow-up is needed until a response to antibiotic regimen is noted. On follow-up, assess the size of the epithelial defect, the size and depth of the infiltrate, the degree of pain and the anterior chamber reaction. Taper the antibiotics when the ulcer improves. If the ulcer worsens or does not improve, consider culturing it again, adding fortified antibiotics (eg, vancomycin and tobramycin) and subconjunctival antibiotics. Consider a corneal biopsy if the ulcer does not improve. In severe nonresponding ulcers, hospitalization for frequent monitoring and drop administration may be required. Admission of the patient may be needed if there is scleral extension or corneal perforation and systemic antibiotics and/or surgery are needed, if the patient is unable to instill the medication as prescribed, is unable to return for follow-up, or is nonadherent to the medication.

Surgery

Lamellar or penetrating keratoplasties can be performed in cases that are unresponsive to medical therapy or in cases of large perforations. Peripheral iridectomies should be performed at the time of penetrating keratoplasty. Smaller perforations (<2mm) can be treated with corneal gluing and bandage contact lenses.

For patients with poor eyelid closure or neurotrophic keratitis, temporary or permanent tarsorrhaphy should be considered to aid healing.

Surgical follow-up

When a corneal transplant is indicated, close postoperative follow-up is recommended. The cornea surgeon should evaluate for recurrence of the infection in the graft as well as graft failure and other possible postoperative complications. The host corneal button should be sent for pathologic analysis and culture.

Complications

Potential complications include scleral extension of the infection, residual corneal scarring, irregular astigmatism, loss of vision, corneal perforation, and endophthalmitis .

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on the size, location, depth, and etiology of the corneal ulcer as well as any pre-existing ocular conditions.

Additional Resources

• Lin A, Rhee MK, Akpek EK, Amescua G, Farid M, Garcia-Ferrer FJ, Varu DM, Musch DC, Dunn SP, Mah FS; American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern Cornea and External Disease Panel. Bacterial Keratitis Preferred Practice Pattern®. Ophthalmology. 2019 Jan;126(1):P1-P55. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.10.018. Epub 2018 Oct 23. PMID: 30366799.
• Turbert D, Huffman JM. Bacterial Keratitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeSmart/Eye health. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/bacterial-keratitis-27. Accessed September 8, 2025.
• Turbert D, Huffman JM. Corneal Ulcer. American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeSmart/Eye health. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/corneal-ulcer-list. Accessed September 8, 2025.
• H.E., Barron, L., McDonald, M.B., eds., The Cornea, 2d ed., 1996
• Basic and Clinical Science Course, External Disease and Cornea, American Academy of Ophthalmology
• The Wills Eye Manual, 4th Edition. Kunimoto, Kanitkar, & Makar. Lippincott, 2004.