About Keratitis
Key Highlights
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Preserves vision by treating a potentially sight-threatening condition.Addresses the root cause, whether infectious, traumatic, or inflammatory.Prevents complications like corneal scarring, perforation, or permanent vision loss.Relieves painful symptoms such as eye redness, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.Treatment is tailored to the specific type of keratitis (bacterial, viral, fungal, etc.).
Who is this surgery for?
- Eye pain, redness, and a sensation of having something in the eye (foreign body sensation).
- Blurred or decreased vision.
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).
- Excessive tearing or unusual eye discharge.
- Diagnosis of a corneal infection (ulcer) via slit-lamp examination.
- Inflammation of the cornea following an eye injury or contact lens wear.
- Underlying conditions like dry eye syndrome, autoimmune diseases, or herpes simplex virus reactivation affecting the eye.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist using a slit lamp to examine the cornea in detail.
- Providing a detailed medical history, including recent injuries, contact lens use, and systemic health conditions.
- In cases of suspected infection, a corneal scrape or culture may be taken to identify the causative organism.
- Discontinuation of contact lens wear immediately.
- Discussion of current medications and allergies with the doctor.
Risks & possible complications
- Progression of infection or inflammation despite treatment.
- Corneal scarring, which can lead to permanent vision impairment.
- Corneal perforation (a hole in the cornea), a serious complication requiring emergency surgery.
- Spread of infection to other parts of the eye (endophthalmitis).
- Recurrence of the condition, especially in viral keratitis.
- Side effects from medications, such as stinging from eye drops or systemic effects from oral drugs.
- Glaucoma or cataracts as potential side effects of long-term steroid eye drop use.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Strict adherence to the prescribed medication schedule (eye drops or oral tablets) is critical.
- Frequent follow-up visits with the ophthalmologist to monitor healing and response to treatment.
- Avoid rubbing the eye and protect it from irritants.
- Wear sunglasses to manage light sensitivity.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses until the ophthalmologist confirms the cornea has fully healed.
- Use prescribed lubricating eye drops if dry eye is a contributing factor.
- Report any increase in pain, redness, or vision loss to the doctor immediately.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient) to 3-5 days (for severe cases requiring IV therapy or surgery)
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Expected recovery time: 1-4 weeks for mild cases; several months for severe cases with scarring or requiring surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering keratitis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for keratitis in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Manipal Hospital Goa , known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform keratitis. MediFyr helps you compare ophthalmologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for keratitis compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 2 Thousand – 50 Thousand | 0 days (outpatient) to 3-5 days (for severe cases requiring IV therapy or surgery) | ~ 1-4 weeks for mild cases; several months for severe cases with scarring or requiring surgery | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 7 Thousand – 175 Thousand | 0 days (outpatient) to 3-5 days (for severe cases requiring IV therapy or surgery) | ~ 1-4 weeks for mild cases; several months for severe cases with scarring or requiring surgery | Know More |
Top hospitals for Keratitis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ophthalmology teams and experience managing patients undergoing keratitis.
Angel Williams, a 28-year-old graphic designer...
Angel Williams, a 28-year-old graphic designer and avid contact lens wearer, had been struggling with persistent eye redness, pain, and blurry vision for a week. She initially thought it was just eye strain from long hours at her computer, but over-the-counter drops provided no relief. Her symptoms worsened, with severe light sensitivity making it impossible to work. Her ophthalmologist, after a slit-lamp examination, diagnosed her with microbial keratitis, likely from improper contact lens hygiene. The doctor recommended intensive treatment with fortified antibiotic eye drops every hour, day and night. The first 48 hours were grueling for Angel; the frequent drops stung, and the pain and light sensitivity confined her to a dark room, causing anxiety about her career and independence. However, after three days, the pain began to subside. Over two weeks of diligent treatment, her vision cleared significantly. The emotional relief was profound. She moved from fear and frustration to a deep sense of gratitude and a newfound commitment to strict lens care, valuing her sight more than ever.
Ophthalmologists for Keratitis
Explore experienced ophthalmologists who regularly perform keratitis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 23 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 15 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Ranchi, Ranchi
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 13 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist