Welcome to Vision Experts

Keratitis

Definition

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the transparent membrane that covers the coloured part of the eye .

Description

There are many types and causes of Keratitis. Keratitis occurs in both children and adults. Organisms cannot generally invade an intact, healthy cornea. However, certain conditions can allow an infection to occur. For example, a scratch can leave the cornea open to infection. A very dry eye can also decrease the cornea's protective mechanisms.

Risk factors

1. Poor contact lens care; overuse of contact lenses
2. Illnesses or other factors that reduces the body's ability to overcome infection
3. Cold sores, genital herpes, and other viral infections
4. Crowded, dirty living conditions; poor hygiene
5. Poor nutrition (especially a deficiency of Vitamin A, which is essential for normal vision)

Some common types of Keratitis are listed below, however there are many other forms.

Cause

Bacterial, viral, or fungal infection

Dry eyes resulting from disorders of the eyelid or diminished ability to form tears

Exposure to very bright light

Foreign objects that injure or become lodged in the eye

Sensitivity or allergic reactions to eye-make up, dust,pollen, pollution

Vitamin A deficiency

Symptoms of Keratitis include, but are not limited to

Tearing

Pain

Sensitivity to light

Inflammation of the eyelid

Decrease in vision

Redness

Diagnosis

1. A case history will be taken and the vision will be tested.
2. Examination with a slit lamp, an instrument that's a microscope and focuses a beam of light on the eye is important for diagnosis.
3. Samples of infectious matter removed from the eye will be sent for laboratory analysis.

Herpes simplex keratitis

A major cause of adult eye disease, herpes simplex Keratitis may lead to:

Chronic inflammation of the cornea

Development of tiny blood vessels in the eye

Scarring

Loss of vision

Glaucoma

This infection generally begins with inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelid (conjunctiva) and the portion of the eyeball that comes into contact with it. It usually occurs in one eye. Subsequent infections are characterized by a pattern of lesions that resemble the veins of a leaf. These infections are called dendritic keratitis and aid in the diagnosis.

Recurrences may be brought on by stress, fatigue, or ultraviolet light (UV) exposure. Repeated episodes of dendritic keratitis can cause permanent scarring, and numbness of the cornea.

Bacterial keratitis

People who have bacterial keratitis wake up with their eyelids stuck together. There can be pain, sensitivity to light, redness, tearing, and a decrease in vision.

Contaminated make up and contact lens overuse increase the risk. Bacterial keratitis makes the cornea cloudy. It may also cause abscesses to develop in the stroma, which is located beneath the outer layer of the cornea.

Fungal keratitis

Usually a consequence of injuring the cornea in a farm-like setting or in a place where plant material is present, fungal keratitis often develops slowly. This condition:

Usually affects people with weakened immune systems

Often results in infection within the eyeball

May cause stromal abscesses

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis is also called marginal keratolysis or peripheral rheumatoid ulceration. This condition is often associated with active or chronic:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Relapsing polychondritis (connective-tissue inflammation)

Wegener's granulomatosis, a rare condition characterized by kidney disease and development of nodules in the respiratory tract.

Superficial punctate keratitis

Often associated with the type of viruses that cause upper respiratory infection (adenoviruses), superficial punctate keratitis is characterized by destruction of pinpoint areas in the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium). One or both eyes may be affected.

Acanthamoeba keratitis

This pus-producing condition is very painful. It is a common source of infection in people who wear soft or rigid contact lenses. It can be found in tap water, soil, and swimming pools.

Photokeratitis

Photokeratitis or snowblindness is caused by excess exposure to UV light. This can occur with sunlight, suntanning lamps, or a welding arc. It is very painful and may occur several hours after exposure. It may last one to two days.

Interstitial keratitis

Also called parenchymatous keratitis, interstitial keratitis is a chronic inflammation of tissue deep within the cornea. Interstitial keratitis affects both eyes and usually occurs as a complication of congenital or acquired syphilis. It may also occur in people with tuberculosis, leprosy, or other diseases.

Treatment

Antibiotics, antifungals, and antiviral medication will be used to treat the appropriate organism. . Inappropriate prescriptions or over-the-counter preparations can make symptoms more severe and cause tissue deterioration

A sterile, cotton-tipped applicator may be used to gently remove infected tissue and allow the eye to heal more rapidly.

Severe infections require corneal transplants.

Although early detection and treatment can cure most forms of keratitis, the infection can cause:

Glaucoma

Permanent scarring

Ulceration of the cornea

Blindness

Prevention

Careful use of contact lens - Do not overuse lenses, remove them if the eyes are irritated or red

Eat a well balanced diet

Wear protective glasses when working or playing

Sunglasses with UV coatings can help protect against damage from UV light.