Learn about Keratitis Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Keratitis and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Keratitis

Keratitis is not a procedure but a medical condition involving inflammation of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats keratitis, which can be caused by infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic), injuries, or underlying autoimmune diseases. Treatment is crucial to prevent vision loss, scarring, or corneal perforation. The management approach depends on the cause and severity and may include prescription eye drops (antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal), oral medications, pain management, and in severe cases, procedures like corneal scraping for culture or therapeutic corneal transplantation. Prompt diagnosis by an ophthalmologist is essential for preserving sight and eye health.

Key Highlights

    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.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient) to 3-5 days (for severe cases requiring IV therapy or surgery)
  • checked 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.

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 USD 22 – USD 551 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 USD 164 – USD 4,098 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.

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89+ Rating

Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa

  • Iconvijayawada, India
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2882+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Whitefield

  • IconBangalore, India
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135+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
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PATIENT REVIEW

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.

Dr. M Gurudutt Kamath
  • 25 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 400
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. ML Sujatha
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ritu Gadia
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vishal Arora
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Kailash Chhabria
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rajesh Nayak
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 400
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Nikhila Sathe
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Baner, Pune

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sandhya Nayak
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sudipta Mitra
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Tripti Kolhatkar
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 550
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Dukhabandu Panigrahy
  • Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Gladys Reshma Rodrigues
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 400
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Roshmi Gupta
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vanuli Bajpai
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Udbuddha Dutta
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Amandeep Garg
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rashmi Shirwant
  • 3 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 2000
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Goa , Panaji

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Jayanti V Iyengar
  • 25 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 750
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ajanta Chakravarty
  • 32 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Pravin Kumar Singh
  • 25 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Tomorrow
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated