Description

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

If you have eye redness or other symptoms of keratitis, make an appointment to see an eye specialist. With the symbol of care, of mild to moderate cases of keratitis can usually be effectively treated without the loss of vision. If left without treatment, or if an infection is severe, the keratitis can lead to serious complications that can permanently damage your vision.

Symptoms

Symptoms of keratitis include:

  • Redness of the eyes
  • Pain in the eyes
  • Excess tearing or other discharge from your eye
  • Difficulty opening the lid because of pain or irritation
  • Blurred vision
  • Decreased vision
  • Sensitivity to light, called photophobia
  • A feeling of something in the eye

When to see a doctor

If you notice any of the symptoms of keratitis, make an appointment to see an eye specialist immediately. Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of keratitis can lead to serious complications, including blindness.

Causes

Causes of keratitis include:

  • Of the injury. If any scratches or damage to the surface of the cornea, non-infectious keratitis can result. In addition, an injury can allow microorganisms to gain access to the damaged cornea, causing infectious keratitis.
  • Bacteria, fungi, or parasites. These organisms can live on the surface of a contact lens or contact lens carrying case. The cornea can become contaminated when the lens is in your eye, which results in infectious keratitis. Poor contact lens hygiene or contact lens overwear can cause both non-infectious and infectious keratitis.
  • Virus. The herpes virus — herpes simplex and herpes zoster can cause keratitis.
  • Bacteria. Staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pseudomonas are common bacteria involved in keratitis.
  • The contaminated water. Bacteria, fungi, and parasites in the water — especially in the oceans, rivers, lakes and swimming pools with hot tub — can you enter your eyes when you're swimming and result in keratitis. However, even if you are exposed to these organisms, a healthy cornea is unlikely to become infected unless there has been some previous breakdown of the surface of the cornea — for example, by the use of a contact lens too long.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of keratitis include:

  • The contact lenses.Wearing contact lenses — especially to sleep in the lens —increases your risk of infectious diseases and non-infectious keratitis. The risk is usually derived from that took more time than recommended, inadequate disinfection or wear contact lenses while swimming. Keratitis is more common in people who use extended-wear contacts, or use contact lenses continuously, than in those who used daily-wear contacts and take them out at night.
  • The reduction of the immunity. If your immune system is weakened by illness or medication, you are at greater risk of developing keratitis.
  • Corticosteroids. The use of corticosteroid eye drops for the treatment of a disorder of the eyes can increase your risk of developing infectious keratitis or make existing keratitis worse.
  • Injury to the eyes. If one of your cornea has been damaged by an injury in the past, may be more vulnerable to developing keratitis.

The contact lenses. Wearing contact lenses — especially to sleep in the lens —increases your risk of infectious diseases and non-infectious keratitis. The risk is usually derived from that took more time than recommended, inadequate disinfection or wear contact lenses while swimming.

Keratitis is more common in people who use extended-wear contacts, or use contact lenses continuously, than in those who used daily-wear contacts and take them out at night.

Complications

Potential complications of keratitis include:

  • Chronic inflammation of the cornea and the healing
  • Chronic or recurrent viral infections of the cornea
  • Open sores on the cornea, called ulcers of the cornea
  • Temporary or permanent reduction of vision
  • Blindness

Prevention

The care of your contact lenses

If you wear contact lenses, use appropriate cleaning and disinfection may help to prevent keratitis. Follow these tips:

  • Choose daily wear contacts and take them out before you go to sleep.
  • Wash, rinse, and dry your hands before handling your contacts.
  • Follow the eye care provider's recommendations for the care of their lenses.
  • Use only sterile products that are made specifically for the care of contact lenses, and the use of lens care products for the type of lenses you wear.
  • Replace your contact lenses as recommended.
  • Replace your contact lens case every 3 to 6 months.
  • Discard the solution in the case of the contact lens every time you disinfect your lenses. It is not "superior" to the old solution that is already on the case.
  • Do not wear contact lenses while swimming.

The prevention of viral outbreaks

Some forms of keratitis viral can not be completely eliminated. But the following steps can be controlled keratitis viral appearances:

  • If you have a cold sores or herpes blister, avoid touching your eyes, the eyelids and the skin around the eyes unless you have thoroughly washed your hands.
  • Only the use of eye drops that have been prescribed by an eye doctor.
  • Washing your hands frequently can reduce the viral outbreaks.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of keratitis typically consists of the following:

  • Examination of the eyes. Although it may be uncomfortable to open your eyes to the exam, it is important that your doctor will examine your eyes.
  • Penlight examination. Your eye doctor can examine your eyes using a flashlight to check your pupil reaction, size, and other factors. A stain can be applied to the surface of your eye. It is used with the light, this spot makes it easier to see the damage to the surface of the cornea.
  • Slit-lamp examination. Your doctor will examine your eye with a special instrument called a slit lamp. Provides a bright light source and magnification to detect the nature and scope of the keratitis, as well as the effect that can have on other structures of the eye.
  • The laboratory analysis. Your doctor may take a sample of tears or of some cells of the cornea for laboratory analysis to determine the cause of the keratitis and to help develop a treatment plan for you.

Treatment

Non-infectious keratitis

Treatment of non-infectious keratitis varies depending on the severity. For example, with a mild discomfort for a cornea scratch, drops of artificial tears may be the only treatment. However, if the keratitis is causing significant tearing and pain, topical eye medications may be necessary.

Infectious keratitis

The treatment of infectious keratitis varies, depending on the cause of the infection.

  • Keratitis-bacterial. Drops of antibiotics are the main treatment for keratitis bacterial. Depending on the severity of the infection, the fall of the frequency can vary from about four times a day and every 30 minutes, even during the night. Sometimes, oral antibiotics are used as a supplement.
  • Keratitis fungal. Keratitis caused by fungi that normally requires antifungal eye drops and oral antifungal medication.
  • Keratitis Viral. If a virus is the cause of the infection, antiviral drops and oral antiviral medication may be effective. Other viruses may only require supportive care, such as artificial tear drops.
  • Acanthamoeba keratitis. Keratitis caused by the parasite acanthamoeba can be difficult to treat. Antiparasitic drops for the eyes are used, but some acanthamoeba infections that are resistant to the medication and may require treatment for several months. Severe cases of keratitis acanthamoeba may require a cornea transplant.

If keratitis not responding to the medication, or if it causes permanent damage to the cornea, which significantly impairs your vision, your eye doctor may recommend a corneal transplant.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by watching or call your health care provider if you have eye-related symptoms that worry you. Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, your doctor may refer you to an eye specialist called an ophthalmologist.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions when making the appointment. Ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as stop using contact lenses or stop using eye drops.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all medications, including vitamins and supplements you are taking.
  • Write questions during your appointment.

Your time is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your appointment. For keratitis, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the approach that you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • You should see a specialist? Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • What is going to determine if I have to be seen for a follow-up visit?

In addition to the questions that we have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions at any time that you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask a series of questions, including:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Has your eye been injured recently?
  • You've been swimming or been in a hot tub recently?
  • Do your symptoms affect one or both eyes?
  • Do you wear contact lenses?
  • Do you sleep in your contact lenses?
  • How do you clean your contact lenses?
  • How often do you replace your contact lens storage box?
  • Has had a similar problem in the past?
  • You're using eye drops for you now or have you used recently?
  • How is your health in general?
  • Have you ever had a sexually transmitted infection?
  • Are taking any prescription drugs or supplements?
  • Have you recently changed the type of cosmetic that you are using?
Symptoms and treatment of Keratitis