Final answer:
Antibiotics are used to treat keratitis, the inflammation of the cornea and iris. Bacterial keratitis treatment includes aggressive use of antibiotics, and is critical to prevent blindness. Contact lens users are more susceptible to such infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antibiotics are used to treat keratitis, which is the inflammation of the cornea and iris.
Keratitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the cornea, and when caused by bacteria, it is known as bacterial keratitis. Contact lens users are at a heightened risk of developing keratitis because bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can adhere to the lenses. Treatment varies depending on the type of keratitis. For acanthamoeba keratitis, which is particularly difficult to treat, a combination of topical antiseptics and possibly painkillers or corticosteroids is used. In the case of bacterial keratitis, aggressive treatment with antibiotics such as azoles, polymyxin B, or gentamicin is imperative to prevent severe complications like blindness. Bacterial cultures and other tests can help determine the causative agent for effective treatment. For preventing bacterial eye infections such as gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum in newborns, erythromycin ointment is commonly applied to the newborn's eyes.