BACTERIAL KERATITIS.

The article presents information on bacterial keratitis. The patient with bacterial keratitis will generally 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 strormal infiltrate with an overlying area of epithelial excavation. Often, there will be a history of contact lens wear, which is the most common precipitating condition. Corneal trauma or pre-existing keratopathy are also common precipitating conditions. Mucopurulent discharge may emanate from the lesion. The cornea may be edematous. The conjunctival and episcleral vessels will be deeply engorged and inflamed, often greatly out of proportion to the size of the corneal defect. INSET: PANNUS.