What is keratitis in people who wear contact lenses?
Keratitis refers to an inflammation of the cornea. Infection of the cornea is called infectious keratitis. It is the most serious complication of contact lens wear and can cause blindness.
Bacterial keratitis is the most common type of infectious keratitis. Overall, bacterial keratitis is among the least frequent complications of wearing contacts. But it is much more common in people who wear the lenses overnight.
Even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some extended-wear lenses for 30-day use, many eye doctors recommend that people remove them every day.
What are the symptoms of keratitis in people who wear contact lenses?
If you wear contact lenses and you have a painful, red eye, you may have infectious keratitis. Remove your lenses, and call your doctor immediately. You'll need antibiotic eyedrops to help treat the infection. Symptoms of bacterial keratitis may include:
- Pain and redness in the eye.
- Tearing and painful sensitivity to light.
- Discharge.
- Decreased vision.
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