Keratitis

1. One of the primary signs of keratitis is a feeling of burning, pain and irritation in the eye.
2. There can also be swelling in the eye, making the patient unable to open it.
3. The patient may experience inflammation and redness in the eye as something has stuck in it.
4. There may be excessive tearing and thick discharge from the eye.
5. The patient may become sensitive to light. This condition is known as photophobia.
6. Keratitis also affects the vision of the patients and causes blurriness.

 

Causes and Risk Factors

Noninfectious Keratitis

1. Injury – An injury or damage to the cornea is the most prevalent cause of keratitis. This injury can occur due to poking or scratching the eye, or it can occur due to wearing contact lenses for too long or that don’t fit properly.
2. Other causes –  Due to vitamin A deficiency or some illnesses, the immune system can weaken and cause extreme dryness in the eyes, leading to keratitis.

Infectious Keratitis

Viral Infection – People suffering from diseases like the common cold or chickenpox may get keratitis after touching their eyes without cleaning their hands frequently. This type of action spreads viruses from other body parts to the eyes. The common viruses that cause keratitis include respiratory viruses, adenoviruses and the herpes simplex virus.

Bacterial infection – Various bacteria can grow on the surface of the contacts if not cleaned properly. Bacterial infection can also occur due to dirt or contaminated eye drops. Bacterias such as Staphylococci, Haemophilus, Streptococci, and Pseudomonas are the common culprits for such infections.

Parasite – Acanthamoeba, a microbe found everywhere, e.g., soil, air, and water are primarily harmless; however, it can cause an eye infection, especially when wearing contact lenses. This type of infection is usually rare, although very hard to treat.

Fungus –  Fungal infection in the eye is very rare; however, some fungi are known to cause Keratitis, including Aspergillus, Candida, or Fusarium. People wearing contact lenses can get such infections; it can also be caused due to outdoor fungal exposure.

When To See A Doctor

After noticing the first signs of keratitis symptoms, people need to look for an eye doctor. It is important because if the condition is not examined at the right time and left untreated for too long, it can lead to various detrimental issues. 

Risks If Not Treated In Time

If keratitis is not treated on time, it may lead to severe conditions like:-

1. Corneal scarring
2. Recurrent infections in the cornea
3. Blurriness due to partial vision loss
4. It can even cause blindness in severe cases.

 Diagnosis

1. The doctor may ask patients about their medical history and then look in the eye to check any symptoms.
2. If the patient is unable to open the eye, the doctor will aid in opening the patient’s eye to examine it.
3. The doctor checks the eye to find any injury to the cornea. For this, the doctor may use a slit lamp or penlight to diagnose keratitis. The slit lamp magnifies the delicate structures within the eye to detect any injury. 
4. In contrast, a penlight is similar to a small torch but with a bright light, which is used to examine the pupil to investigate any abnormal changes. Sometimes a stain can also be applied to the eye surface; this aids in the detection of any unusual change.
5. The doctor can also swab the area under the eyelid for collecting samples, which can be tested for any infection.

 Treatment

For Non-Infectious Keratitis

If the keratitis is caused due to any damage to the cornea, it will heal on its own. However, the doctor can prescribe either eye drops, ointments, oral medications, or others to help in healing the injury. The doctor can also apply an eye patch to protect and heal the affected area.

For Infectious Keratitis

The doctor prescribes several medications in the form of ointments, eye drops and oral medications, e.g. tablets & capsules, to prevent infection. These include:

1. Antibiotics for bacterial infections
2. Biocides for parasitic infections
3. Antifungals for fungal infections
4. Antivirals for viral infections

 There are a few keratitis infections that do not respond to the prescribed medications : 

1. Acanthamoeba keratitis may develop antibiotic resistance; thus, the infection doesn’t go quickly. Therefore eyes may need subsequent check-ups. 
2. Antiviral medications do not necessarily eliminate the virus that causes keratitis. So, keratitis might recur in the future, and hence, it is mandatory to be careful in these situations. 
3. Noninfectious keratitis doesn’t need medication, and a prescription is needed if the condition worsens and develops into an infection.  

Prevention

Keratitis is a normal medical condition and can arise in anyone. However, following several precautions will prevent its occurrence, which includes:

1. Don’t sleep while wearing contact lenses. Make sure to remove them every day before going to bed, and change the solution every time you wear your contact lens.
2. Remove contacts while swimming or taking a shower, as it may irritate.
3. Wash and dry the hands properly before touching the eyes and contact lenses. Wash your hands properly before wearing or removing your contact lens.
4. Clean the contact lenses adequately with contact lens solution.
5. Do not rub or poke the eyes with any sharp thing that can cause injury.
6. Do not expose the eye to contaminated or dirty water.
7.  Avoid sand or soil entering the eye, and if it enters your eye, clean your eyes properly with water.

Conclusion 

Keratitis is an inflammatory eye condition and can be easily confused with other similar eye problems such as Conjunctivitis, so it is always best to consult your healthcare provider to ensure you are getting the right information about your circumstances.