Download fact sheet: keratitis

FACT SHEET: KERATITIS
WHAT IS KERATITIS?
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea. It can be an infection caused by bacteria, fungi,
viruses, or protozoa. Exposure keratitis occurs when the cornea is not protected by the
eyelids due to a decreased or absent blink reflex or if the lids do not completely close.
Keraritis is characterized by a loss of luster and transparency and cellular infilitration.
Organisms do not 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.
SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms of keratitis include, but are not limited to:
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tearing
pain
sensitivity to light
inflammation of the eyelid
sharp pain or the feeling of having a foreign body in your eye.
decrease in vision, or blurring of vision
redness
CAUSES OR RISK FACTORS:
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poor contact lens care; overuse of contact lenses
illnesses or other factors that reduce the body's ability to overcome infection
cold sores, genital herpes, and other viral infections
crowded, dirty living conditions; poor hygiene
poor nutrition (especially a deficiency of Vitamin A, which is essential for normal
vision)
bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
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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
Fact Sheet by Monica Oliver
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sensitivity or allergic reactions to eye makeup, dust, pollen, pollution, or other
irritants
TREATMENT:
Antibiotics, antifungals, and antiviral medication will be used to treat the appropriate
organism. Broad spectrum antibiotics will be used immediately, but once tests determine
the actual cause, the medication may be changed. Sometimes more than one medication
is necessary. It depends upon the infection, but the patient should be clear on how often
and how to use the medications.
A sterile, cotton-tipped applicator may be used to gently remove infected tissue and allow
the eye to heal more rapidly. Laser surgery is sometimes performed to destroy unhealthy
cells, and some severe infections require corneal transplants.
Antifungal, antibiotic, or antiviral eyedrops or ointments are usually prescribed to cure
keratitis, but they should be used only by patients under a doctor's care. Inappropriate
prescriptions or over-the-counter preparations can make symptoms more severe and
cause tissue deterioration. Topical corticosteroids can cause great harm to the cornea in
patient's with herpes simplex keratitis.
A patient with keratitis may wear a patch to protect the healing eye from bright light,
foreign objects, the lid rubbing against the cornea, and other irritants. Sometimes a patch
can make it worse, so again, the patient must discuss with the doctor whether or not a
patch is necessary. The patient will probably return every day to the eye doctor to check
on the progress.
If not treated early or if the infection goes untreated it can cause:
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permanent scarring
ulceration of the cornea
blindness
glaucoma
REFERENCES:
Ledford, Janice, & Roberto Pineda II. The Little Eye Book A Pupil’s Guide to
Understanding Opthalmology,(pgs 50,78). Thorofare, NJ.
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI
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Fact Sheet by Monica Oliver