Keratitis (Corneal Ulcers)

Keratitis (Corneal Ulcers)

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is keratitis (corneal ulcers)?

    Infectious keratitis and corneal ulcers refer to the invasion of an infectious organism into the cornea. These infections can involve any layer of the cornea and as a general rule, the deeper the corneal infection, the more severe the symptoms and complications.

    Causes

    A corneal ulcer usually occurs after corneal trauma or from an irregular ocular surface, which allows bacteria, fungus, or parasites to enter the cornea and cause an infection with inflammation.

    Risk Factors

    Trauma from a foreign body (including contact lenses), severe dry eyes, or eyelid disease can predispose patients to corneal infections.  Contact lens overuse or poor contact lens hygiene also puts a patient at higher risk for such infections due to the bacteria and other organisms that can grow on the contact lenses, cases, and in re-used contact lens solution.

    Appointment Information

    For more information or to make an appointment, call 734-764-5106.

    What are the symptoms of keratitis?
    • Pain and eye irritation
    • Eye redness
    • Blurred vision
    • Light sensitivity
    • Discharge

    How is keratitis diagnosed?

    An eye care professional can diagnose a corneal infection during an eye exam.  More severe ulcers may be sampled and sent to a lab for cultures to identify the offending organism.  Occasionally, special imaging with a high-resolution microscope can be utilized to look for atypical organisms when infections do not respond to common treatments.

    How is keratitis treated?

    Minor corneal ulcers can usually be treated with anti-bacterial eye drops. If the problem is more severe, the patient may receive more intensive or specially formulated antibiotic drops to eliminate the infection. Occasionally, steroid eye drops are also used to reduce inflammation.  In the case of suspected fungal or parasitic infection, a patient may receive special antibiotics specifically targeted at these organisms.  After the infection is resolved, residual corneal scarring or thinning can occur, and occasionally procedures such as corneal gluing or corneal transplantation may be recommended. Early treatment may help reduce the risk of complications. Frequent visits to an eye care professional may be necessary for several months to eliminate the problem. 

    Locations
    • Cornea & Refractive Surgery Clinic | Kellogg Eye Center 1000 Wall St
      Elevator B Floor 3
      Ann Arbor, MI 48105-1912       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | Kellogg Eye Center-Grand Blanc 3181 E Grand Blanc Rd
      Grand Blanc, MI 48439-2709       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Theresa M Cooney, MD

    Theresa M Cooney, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Pauline Dmitriev, MD

    Pauline Dmitriev, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Farida Esaa Hakim, MD

    Farida Esaa Hakim, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Christopher Hood, MD

    Christopher Thomas Hood, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Shahzad Ihsan Mian, MD

    Shahzad Ihsan Mian, MD

    Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Nambi Nallasamy, MD

    Nambi Nallasamy, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Roni Mintz Shtein, MD, MS

    Associate Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Hunson Soong, MD

    Hunson Kaz Soong, MD

    Professor Emeritus

    Ophthalmology

    Alan Sugar, MD

    Professor Emeritus

    Ophthalmology

    Angela Joy Verkade, MD

    Angela Joy Verkade, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Show All Doctors

    News & Stories

         woman with dog smiling
    Health Lab

    Patient with retinitis pigmentosa receives new hope at Kellogg’s low vision clinic

    Retinitis pigmentosa can lead to vision loss, but DNA testing, inherited retinal disease research and AI glasses offer new hope.
         mom smiling with two kids
    Health Lab

    Rare genetic eye disease treated with gene therapy helps 2 children see again

    Mia and Niko Spicer were diagnosed with Leber’s congenital amaurosis type 2, a rare genetic eye disease, and were treated with the gene therapy Luxturna to improve their vision.
         Close up of a hazel green eye
    Health Lab

    A new clue for aging eyes

    Struggling to read more than six lines on an eye chart with fading letters may serve as a visual “yellow light” for older adults—raising red flags that routine exams sometimes fail to detect.
         Susan Lane, wearing glasses and a dress with blue, red, black, and purple brushstroke designs, stands next to Alan Sugar, who is wearing glasses and a grey blazer with a blue tie. They are standing in a shaded courtyard area with shrubs and a brick wall behind them.
    Philanthropy News

    Susan J. Lane: Gratitude and Giving

    Susan Lane has made a transformational gift to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Michigan Medicine to support corneal research and patient education.
         eye drawing yellow dots
    Health Lab

    Cell death in photoreceptor cells is reversible, study finds

    A team of researchers from the University of Michigan found functional mitochondria are key to the recovery of dying photoreceptor cells.
         blue image side by side glowing on black background with some green
    Health Lab

    Uncovering how occludin protein maintains blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers

    University of Michigan researchers uncover the role of occludin, a protein that regulates blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, offering new insight into diabetic retinopathy.