About Keratitis
Keratitis can be triggered by various factors. The pathophysiologic causes of keratitis include:
- Noninfectious causes: These include corneal scratches, dryness, and soreness resulting from wearing contact lenses for too long or while sleeping. Other causes include exposure to bright light without eye protection and working with chemicals or machinery.
- Infectious causes: Viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections can lead to infectious keratitis. Risk factors for these infections include the use of unclean eye drops or contact solutions, reactivation of the herpes simplex virus, viral infections like the flu or shingles, and health conditions that affect the immune system.
Non-modifiable risk factors for keratitis are factors that cannot be altered and include:
- Age: Increasing age is a non-modifiable risk factor for keratitis.
- Genetic predisposition: Having a positive family history of keratitis or related eye conditions can increase the risk.
Modifiable risk factors for keratitis are largely related to individual habits and lifestyle choices that can be influenced. These include:
- Contact lens wear: Poor hygiene practices, such as not cleaning or storing contact lenses properly, increase the risk of keratitis.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to dusty or polluted environments can contribute to keratitis.
- Eye rubbing: Frequent rubbing of the eyes can cause irritation and increase the risk of developing keratitis.
- Reduced tear production: Dry eye syndrome, which can be caused by factors like aging or certain medications, increases the susceptibility to keratitis.
It's important to note that these risk factors may vary depending on individual circumstances. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
The symptoms of keratitis can vary depending on the type of keratitis, but some common symptoms include:
- Red eyes
- Pain and irritation in the affected eye
- Vision changes, such as blurriness or inability to see
- Sensitivity to light
- Inability to open your eye
- Eye discharge
- Excessive tearing
As keratitis progresses or becomes more severe, additional symptoms may occur. These can include:
- Corneal swelling
- Light sensitivity
- Halos in your vision
- Eye strain
- Irritation
- A persistent desire to rub your eyes
- Poor night vision
- Nearsightedness (difficulty seeing far away)
- Irregular astigmatism (irregular curvature of the eye)
- Corneal blisters (in rare cases)
It's important to note that these symptoms may vary depending on the cause of keratitis. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's recommended to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
To diagnose keratitis, health care providers may perform the following examinations, tests, and procedures:
- Medical history: The doctor will ask about your symptoms and any previous diagnoses.
- Physical Exam: The health care provider will look for physical signs of keratitis, such as swelling or the presence of foreign objects within the eye.
- Lab Tests: Specific lab tests may be recommended to check samples of blood, urine, or eye tissues. These tests can help diagnose the underlying cause of keratitis or other reasons for symptoms
- Visual Acuity Test: This test measures how well you can see at various distances. It helps assess the impact of keratitis on your vision.
- Slit Lamp Examination: A slit lamp is used to examine the structures of the eye under high magnification. It helps evaluate the cornea and identify any abnormalities or damage caused by keratitis.
- Corneal Staining: Fluorescent dyes may be used to highlight damaged areas on the cornea. This helps determine the extent and location of corneal involvement.
- Microbial Culture: If an infection is suspected as the cause of keratitis, a sample from the affected area may be collected for microbial culture. This helps identify the specific organism responsible for the infection.
Other examinations or tests may be recommended based on your individual situation.
The goals of treatment for keratitis are to eradicate infection (if present), control inflammation, and minimize damage to the cornea. To achieve these goals, recommended medication types, therapies, therapeutic procedures, and health behavior changes may include:
Medications:
- Antibiotics: These are used to target and eliminate the infecting organisms causing keratitis.
- Antifungal medications: These are prescribed if the infection is caused by a fungal organism.
- Antiviral medications: There may be prescribed if the infection is caused by certain viruses.
- Steroids: These are sometimes used in combination with antibiotics to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Therapies:
- Lubrication: Artificial tears or ointments may be prescribed to relieve dryness and provide comfort.
- Eyelid taping: This technique helps protect the cornea from further damage caused by eyelid dysfunction.
- Punctal plugs: These tiny devices are inserted into tear ducts to help retain moisture on the surface of the eye.
Health Behavior Changes:
- Proper hygiene: Frequent handwashing and avoiding touching or rubbing the eyes can help prevent infection.
- Contact lens care: Following proper cleaning and disinfection protocols for contact lenses can reduce the risk of Keratitis.
There may be other treatment options. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized treatment recommendations. Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for side effect information.