Pediatric Infective Keratitis

Pediatric infective keratitis, though rare, is a significant cause of ocular morbidity in children, often leading to long-term visual impairment due to corneal scarring and amblyopia. In countries like India, the prevalence of microbial keratitis in children is compounded by factors such as malnutrition, particularly Vitamin A deficiency, and systemic diseases. Trauma is the leading cause in developing regions, whereas contact lens-related infections are more common in developed areas. This review focuses on the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, etiology, and management strategies for pediatric infective keratitis.