Swollen cornea and blurred vision

[mjcarter92]

About 6 weeks ago I got a serious bacterial infection in my eye after having surgery on the eye. Was admitted to hospital with reduced vision and diagnosed with corneal conjunctivitis, corneal ulcer & infective keratitis.

The infection has now cleared & abrasion (which was a result of the surgery) finally healed. However, I still have limited vision and the front of my eye looks cloudy which I was told is down to the swelling on my cornea.

How long does it normally take for the swelling to settle down? Bearing in mind the skin around the cornea only healed in the past week and infection in past two weeks.

Thanks!

[JohnHaganMD]

Unfortunately we can't tell you anything useful. If the swelling is superficial (like a first degree burn on the skin) it could clear without scarring and the vision return to normal. On the other hand if the ulcler was deep (like a 3rd degree burn) then the cornea could turn into scar with no improvement in your vision and you may need some sort of corneal surgery down the line. Remember to take extra good care of your "good eye".

[mjcarter92]

Thank you for your reponse. The consultant that I spoke to advised me to consider a transplant in the next two to three years. However, he did say that my vision should return once the swelling goes down (although it won't be as good as before the surgery/infection). The cloudiness has gone from the iris, seems to just be around my retina now - if I don't look at things straight on I can see more detail than looking straight at something with my eye. It's taken two weeks to get this far, do you think the rest of the swelling could go within the next few?

[JohnHaganMD]

I can't answer that question and if the Eye MD has already raised the issue of corneal surgery it is likely to be extensive. Know that in many cases now lamellar cornea surgery can be done and a full thickness corneal transplant is not necessary.

[mjcarter92]

Okay, thanks a lot for your responses! I think the surgery is in part to do with the fact I have keratinous in both eyes. Will speak more with the consultant when I see him next!

[JohnHaganMD]

lamellar cornea surgery is preferred for k-conus also over full thickness corneal transplant