This is the inflammation of the part of the eye called the cornea which is the dome-shaped tissue in front of the eye. This can develop as an infection that can be caused by the viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. The noninfectious condition can occur from an injury or by wearing contact lenses. This condition requires medical intervention and if left untreated, it can develop serious complications including blindness.
Causes
This can develop as the result of viral infection, fungal infection, parasitic infection, bacterial infection, improper care of the contact lenses, injury such as scratching or rarely with vitamin D deficiency. The viral keratitis is quite common than the bacterial infection. Some of the viruses that can cause this infection include adenovirus that causes upper respiratory infections, herpes simplex type 1 responsible for cold sores and varicella zoster associated with chickenpox. The noninfectious keratitis is also associated with some of the autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The infection can develop from swimming in the water, particularly in places like the lakes and rivers. Individuals who had the breakdown of the corneal epithelium are particularly vulnerable to this infection. It can also develop from the chemicals in water bodies such as swimming pools that can irritate and weaken the soft part of the cornea.
Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms of keratitis include eye pain, decreased vision, excess tears, eye redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, difficulty keeping the eyelids open from pain or irritation and the sensation of something like the sand in the eye. It is important to get medical help when these symptoms are evident as it can result in serious complications such as vision loss.
Diagnosis
The physician will ask about the individual’s symptoms, perform an eye examination and various tests to diagnose this condition. The eye will be examined using a magnifying instrument to determine if the tiny ulcer is noticeable that can be caused by the viral infection. The examination will also include a visual acuity to determine how well the individual can see using the standard eye charts. Additionally, the doctor will also examine the eyes with the help of an instrument called slit lamp that illuminates the cornea, iris, lens which can determine the extent of keratitis. The laboratory analysis will consist of taking a sample of the cells from the cornea or the tears to understand the cause of keratitis.
Treatment
The treatment of this condition is based on the cause. In the case of a mild injury such as the scratched cornea, no specific treatment is necessary. If the condition is caused by the herpes simplex, an antiviral eye drops or oral medication may be prescribed. If it is caused by the bacterial infection, oral antibiotics or ointment and eye drops will be given. In the case of ocular dryness, the artificial tears may be beneficial. The autoimmune cause of this condition may be treated with topical corticosteroid eye drops.
References
https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/keratitis.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/keratitis/basics/treatment/con-20035288
