KERATITIS

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General Illness Information

Medical Term:

Keratitis

Common Name:

None Specified

Description:

Infection or inflammation of the cornea (the center portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil).

Causes:

1.Bacterial, viral or fungal infections. The most common is herpes simplex virus, Type I.

2. Drying of the eye caused by an eyelid disorder or insufficient tear formation.

3. Foreign object in the eye.

4. Contact lenses over-use.

5. Intense light, such as from welding arcs or the reflection of intense sunlight from snow or water. (Symptoms may not appear for 24 hours after exposure).

6. Vitamin A deficiency.

7. Allergy to eye cosmetics, air pollution, airborne particles (pollen, dust, mold, or yeast) and other allergens.

Prevention:

Wear protective glasses, if your work involves eye hazards.

Eat a well-balanced diet that contains sufficient vitamin A or take multiple-vitamin supplements containing vitamin A.

Signs & Symptoms

	Eye pain.
	Redness of the eye.
	Sensitivity to light.
	Foreign body sensation in the eye.
	Tearing and blurred vision.

Risk Factors

	Poor nutrition, especially insufficient vitamin A.
	Contact lens wearers.
	Illness that has lowered resistance.
	Viral infections elsewhere in the body, especially cold sores or genital herpes.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Special eye exam confirms keratitis. A vision test may also be performed.
General Measures:
	Discontinue use of contact lenses until infection clears.
	Treatment usually involves eye medication.

Medications:
	Antibiotic or anti-viral eye drops and ointments.
	Don't use non-prescription eye drops containing topical corticosteroids. These may worsen the condition.

Activity:
No restriction.

Diet:
	No specific diet.

Possible Complications :
	Glaucoma.
	Ulceration and scarring of the cornea, leading to vision loss.

Prognosis

With early treatment, most types of keratitis are curable.

Other

'Nothing Specified'.