Bacterial Keratitis Signs

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Signs and Symptoms

The patient will present with a unilateral, acutely painful, photophobic, intensely injected eye. Visual acuity is usually reduced, and profuse tearing is common. There will be a focal stromal infiltrate with an overlying area of epithelial excavation. There is likely to be thick, ropy, mucopurulent discharge.

The cornea will be very edematous. The conjunctival and episcleral vessels will be deeply engorged and inflamed, often greatly out of proportion to the size of the corneal defect. In severe cases, there will be a pronounced anterior chamber reaction, often with hypopyon. Intraocular pressure may be low due to secretory hypotony of the ciliary body, but most often will be elevated due to blockage of the trabecular meshwork by inflammatory cells. Often, the eyelids will also be edematous.

Bacterial Keratitis