Corneal infections are when the cornea of the eye has been damaged and has become infected either organisms that are viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic.

These organisms can get into the cornea in several ways which include contact lenses that are worn too long or not washed or stored correctly; dirt getting into the eye or dirt particles becoming implanted into the cornea; unintended injury to the eye; associated with infections such as herpes zoster which is likely in individuals with diabetes, AIDS and other immune-compromised conditions. Corneal infections can also be associated with leprosy as corneal sensations are decreased so that an individual does not know that there is a foreign object in the eye.

Symptoms of corneal infection include pain in the eye, redness, white spot in the eye, the eye is watering and the inability to open the eye in normal light. The pain in the eye is intense and will drive you to the ophthalmologist or the very next available eye care professional immediately which is what you should be doing. Treatment for corneal infections needs to be started as quickly as possible.

The eye professional will first numb the eye which will offer the individual much relief. Then the eye will be examines with a slit-lamp and a torch light. The professional might take a “scrape” of the area that is infected in order to identify the organism that is causing the infection so as to know which drug will be most effective. Treatment will be started immediately with follow-up visit being very important.