Keratitis is an inflammation or infection of the cornea. The cornea is the clear front window of the eye, so inflammation here can be painful and threaten vision. It can be caused by infection (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) or by non-infectious factors like a severe dry eye, connective tissue disorders, an injury, or wearing contact lenses improperly.
Keratitis is an inflammation or infection of the cornea. The cornea is the clear front window of the eye, so inflammation here can be painful and threaten vision. It can be caused by infection (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) or by non-infectious factors like a severe dry eye, connective tissue disorders, an injury, or wearing contact lenses improperly.
Symptoms
Symptoms include decreased visual acuity, eye pain (often severe), redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light (photophobia), excessive tearing or discharge, and a feeling that something is in your eye. It is a potentially serious condition that requires prompt attention.
Diagnosis
An eye doctor will examine your cornea closely with a slit-lamp microscope, often using special dyes to highlight damaged areas. If an infection is suspected, they may take a tiny sample (culture) from the cornea to identify the exact cause.
Treatments
Treatment depends entirely on the cause. Bacterial keratitis is treated with intensive antibiotic drops. Viral keratitis (often from herpes simplex) is treated with antiviral drops. Fungal keratitis requires antifungal medication. Non-infectious keratitis is treated by addressing the underlying cause (e.g., lubricants for dry eye). Severe cases may require oral medication, inpatient treatment with IV drugs, or even corneal transplant surgery.