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Keratitis is a condition of corneal inflammation.
The cornea, a transparent, dome-shaped tissue covering the pupil and iris in the front of the eye, gets irritated or inflamed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 million clinical visits for Keratitis occur annually.
There are mainly two types of Keratitis: non-infectious and infectious; however, they too, are further divided into sub-types.
Among all of them, microbial Keratitis is the most prevalent type.
All kinds of Keratitis have similar symptoms like ocular (eye) pain and redness in the eye.
With timely attention, treatment of Keratitis is possible. But, if left untreated, it may permanently damage your vision.
This article will discuss Keratitis’s types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Symptoms of Keratitis
There are several Keratitis symptoms you can notice easily.
Here is a list of the common Keratitis symptoms that can help you detect the condition early.
Eye pain
Eye pain is commonly reported by people who have Keratitis.
The pain in the eye can be due to microbial infections, inflammation of the cornea, or wearing contact lenses. All of these are related to Keratitis.
However, there are several other reasons for ocular pain, including our daily lifestyle and the pressure we put on our eyes.
Red eye
Red eye, also known as bloodshot eye, is a common symptom of Keratitis.
It is usually reported in Keratitis caused by prolonged or improper wearing of contact lenses.
It can also be seen in various other eye diseases.
Sensitivity to light
Source: klebercordeiro_from_Getty_ImagesPeople with Keratitis are often sensitive to light, especially bright lights. This condition is known as photophobia.
It becomes difficult for light to enter the eye as Keratitis progresses.
This results in people suffering from glare and light sensitivity.
Blurry vision
When the lens’s outermost layer gets cloudy or blurry, it causes vision difficulties.
The cloudy area, formally known as a Cataract, scatters light as it travels through the lens.
This scattering prevents the retina from getting an image with precise details.
As a result, there is blurred vision that gets worse with age and loss of sight.
Decreased vision
Patients who experience severe haziness and cloudiness experience vision loss.
Due to the buildup of dead protein in the eye lenses, the lens becomes opaque.
Patients may notice frequent changes in their prescription eye lenses during the outset of Keratitis.
Nevertheless, the sudden vision change might point to a lens with dense cloudiness.
Watery eye
The watery eye is usually caused by irritation, infection, or scape on the eye. These are the causes of Keratitis.
Your eyes may always be making tears, and you will notice its profused shedding.
Types of Keratitis
Keratitis is mainly classified into two groups: infectious and non-infectious.
These groups further contain different kinds of Keratitis.
Infectious Keratitis
Different types of microorganisms can cause infectious Keratitis.
The following types of Keratitis can be due to microbial agents:
Bacterial Keratitis
Keratitis caused by bacteria is very prevalent.
In the US, approximately 25,000 cases of bacterial Keratitis are reported yearly.
Bacterial Keratitis can be acute, chronic, or transient, depending on the type of bacteria.
Common types of bacteria that usually cause bacterial Keratitis are:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Streptococcus
- Staphylococcus aureus
Fungal Keratitis
As the name suggests, a fungus causes fungal Keratitis.
People who wear contact lenses are more likely to develop this type of Keratitis.
This condition is rare but may cause severe damage to the eye if left untreated.
Fungi that are usually the reason behind fungal Keratitis are:
- Fusarium
- Aspergillus
- Candida
Viral Keratitis
Viral Keratitis is also known as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).
The leading cause of viral Keratitis is Herpes Simplex Virus.
This virus is only found in humans. It can spread through direct contact with someone who is infected with the virus.
Approximately one in four people in the United States over 30 are infected with HSV-2.
Viral Keratitis is becoming an increasingly prevalent cause of blindness in the world.
Parasitic Keratitis
Parasitic or amebic Keratitis is also known as Acanthamoeba keratitis.
It is a rare but severe form of Keratitis that may lead to blindness.
A study was conducted on 372 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis. 64 among them were referred as ‘grade 4’, meaning most severe.
Parasitic Keratitis is caused by a tiny ameba, Acanthamoeba.
It occurs when the Acanthamoeba organisms in water or contact lens solution enter the eye.
Non-infectious Keratitis
Non-infectious Keratitis is a condition where corneal inflammation is seen without any initial signs of infection.
This type of Keratitis is caused by various reasons other than microbial agents.
Here are some of the common causes which may result in non-infectious Keratitis:
- Eye injury caused by a scratch
- Exposure to intense sunlight
- Using extended-wear contacts
- Wearing your contact lenses for too long
- Living in a warm climate increases the risk of plant materials damaging your cornea
- Not removing contact lenses while swimming
- Weak immune system
Diagnosis
A Keratitis eye can be diagnosed with some easy methods.
Your ophthalmologist may conduct the following tests or examinations to diagnose Keratitis:
Eye exam
An eye exam is usually the primary method used to diagnose Keratitis.
It is a simple way to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases or conditions, like corneal inflammation in Keratitis.
It may be challenging to open your eyes. Still, this primary step has to be taken for further diagnosis or treatment.
Penlight exam
Your eye doctor may use a penlight during the examination to check your pupil’s response, size, and other aspects.
The ophthalmologist might apply a stain to the outside of your eye. When used with light, this stain makes it simpler to see the corneal surface damage.
Slit-lamp examination
Source: microgen_from_Getty_ImagesThe doctor can conduct a slit lamp examination for clinical findings like:
- Papillary conjunctival reaction
- Ciliary injection
- Chemosis
- A gray-white corneal infiltrate at the epithelial and stromal level surrounded by corneal edema
- Overlaid by a corneal epithelial defect
- Anterior chamber reaction
- Hypopyon
Corneal scraping
Your ophthalmologist may conduct corneal scraping to determine Keratitis’s cause and help develop a treatment plan for you.
In this, cells are collected from the surface of your eye. It is then taken to the laboratory for further analysis.
Treatment options for Keratitis
Keratitis can be treated with topical and oral medications.
But in some cases, surgery might be needed.
Here are some ways of treating Keratitis:
Eye drops
Source: A's_ImagesTopical medication is Keratitis’s first line of treatment.
Your ophthalmologist may suggest eye drops based on the cause of your Keratitis, like for
- Bacterial Keratitis: Antibiotic eye drops
- Viral Keratitis: Antiviral eye drops
- Fungal Keratitis: Antifungal eye drops
- Parasitic Keratitis: Antimicrobial eye drops
In the case of non-infectious Keratitis due to a little cut or scrape on the cornea’s surface, you may need an artificial tear drop.
Buy 4 artificial teardrop bottles of ‘Eyemist E/D’ at just $48.56.
Eye patches
Sometimes, the non-infectious Keratitis can be severe, and you face significant tearing and pain.
An eye patch can be recommended to protect it from causing severe infection. It will help in protecting the eye.
Oral medication
For non-infectious Keratitis, you might be recommended anti-inflammatory medications.
It will help in reducing the pain and redness in your eyes.
But in the case of infectious Keratitis, you will be given medicines based on the cause of your Keratitis.
Your ophthalmologist can prescribe oral antifungal, antibiotics, and antiviral medicines.
Injection
Sometimes, an injection can be used to administer the medication directly into your veins.
It is used in cases of fungal Keratitis to make the treatment process faster.
Cornea transplant
Source: tony4urban_from_Getty_ImagesIn a cornea transplant, the doctor replaces your cornea with a donor’s corneal tissue.
This surgery is recommended when you have advanced Keratitis. It is conducted when you don’t respond well to medication and scars appear on your cornea.
Cornea transplant mostly happens when you have parasitic or Acanthamoeba Keratitis.
Conclusion
Keratitis is a condition of corneal inflammation. It is affecting many people around the globe and requires immediate attention.
Symptoms of Keratitis include pain, redness, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.
The diagnosis is typically made through a comprehensive eye exam. It may involve a variety of tests, such as a slit-lamp examination, penlight exam, and corneal scraping.
Treatment options depend on the cause of the Keratitis. Still, they may include topical and oral medications or, in severe cases, a corneal transplant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Keratitis last?
Most Keratitis doesn’t last for longer than one to two days. It can be controlled if treated timely. The pain will heal first after the administration of medicines. The swelling and scars can take some time, sometimes even weeks.
What does Keratitis look like?
The prime symptom you can notice due to corneal inflammation in Keratitis is red eye. You may have eye pain, especially when looking at bright lights. Sometimes, you may also have vision problems like blurry or decreased vision.
Is Keratitis serious?
Usually, Keratitis is not severe, especially if you have non-infectious Keratitis. But in some cases, Keratitis might become harmful and cause vision loss. It usually happens if you leave Keratitis untreated for a long time.
What is the main cause of Keratitis?
One of the significant causes of Keratitis is contact lens wearing. It happens when you wear them for longer than recommended, don’t disinfect them properly, or wear them while swimming. Other causes include microbial agents that are present in the environment.
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