Keratitis

Keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped tissue on the front of your eye that covers the pupil and iris. Keratitis may or may not be associated with an infection. Noninfectious keratitis can be caused by a relatively minor injury, by wearing your contact lenses too long or by a foreign body in the eye. Infectious keratitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Eye with a patch of keratitis of unusual form Wellcome

Causes

Keratitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Infection: This can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. The most common cause of keratitis is a bacterium. Viral keratitis can be caused by the herpes simplex virus or the varicella-zoster virus. Fungal keratitis can be caused by Fusarium or Aspergillus. Parasitic keratitis is less common and can be caused by Acanthamoeba or microsporidia.

• Injury: This can be a minor injury to the cornea, such as a scratch, or a more serious injury, such as a chemical burn.

• Contact lenses: Wearing contact lenses for too long, not cleaning them properly, or wearing them while swimming or bathing can lead to keratitis.

• Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can cause keratitis.

• Dry eyes: This condition can lead to keratitis if not properly managed.

Symptoms

The symptoms of keratitis can vary depending on the cause, but may include:

• Redness in the eye
• Pain and discomfort in the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Tearing or discharge from the eye
• Feeling like something is in your eye

Treatment

Treatment for keratitis depends on the cause of the inflammation. If an infection is the cause, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops. If the cause is an injury or a foreign body in the eye, your doctor may recommend resting your eye and using over-the-counter pain relievers. In severe cases, a corneal transplant may be necessary.

Prevention

To prevent keratitis, it's important to practice good eye hygiene. This includes not wearing contact lenses for longer than recommended, cleaning your contact lenses properly, and not wearing your contact lenses while swimming or bathing. If you have dry eyes, make sure to manage your condition properly to prevent keratitis.

Keratitis Resources
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