How to treat keratitis to recover quickly
Disease description:
I have developed keratitis, and my eyes feel very uncomfortable. I would like to know how to treat keratitis effectively for a quick recovery?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
Keratitis is a common ophthalmic disease, and its treatment methods include:
1. Identifying the cause—to determine whether the keratitis is bacterial, viral, fungal, or allergic. Corresponding treatments should be adopted according to the different causes. For example, bacterial keratitis requires the use of sensitive antibiotic eye drops, such as cephalosporins and tobramycin; viral keratitis can be treated with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and ganciclovir; fungal keratitis requires antifungal medications; and allergic keratitis should be treated with anti-allergy drugs.
2. Local treatment—frequent instillation of appropriate antibiotic or antiviral eye drops to control infection. In severe cases, corticosteroid eye drops may be used in combination to reduce inflammatory response, but this should be done cautiously as it may lead to steroid-induced glaucoma or delay ulcer healing. Eye ointment may be applied at night to aid ulcer healing. Additionally, artificial tears may be appropriately used under medical guidance to maintain corneal moisture.
3. Systemic treatment—for severe keratitis, in addition to local treatment, systemic therapy may sometimes be necessary. Oral or intravenous antibiotics or antiviral drugs may be administered to enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
4. Adjunctive treatment—maintaining ocular hygiene, avoiding rubbing the eyes, using protective eyewear when necessary to reduce irritation. If there is excessive discharge, ocular irrigation may be performed. A balanced diet also contributes to corneal recovery; eating foods rich in vitamin C and protein is recommended.
5. Surgical treatment—if the condition is severe and drug therapy proves ineffective, surgical intervention such as corneal transplantation may be required to restore vision and ocular surface health.
Regular follow-up visits are necessary during treatment to assess disease progression and adjust the treatment plan timely. Even if symptoms improve, the full course of treatment should be completed according to medical advice to prevent recurrence.
