Symptoms of Keratitis | Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Anyone experiencing symptoms of keratitis should seek medical care. Without treatment, serious complications can develop, including vision loss. The eye is a very delicate organ and has several defense mechanisms to protect itself from damage. For example, the eyelids cover the eye, while tears and other eye fluids help prevent infection. The cornea is the eye’s primary barrier against dirt, germs, and disease.

Read also: Corneal Transplant for Keratoconus

Types of Keratitis

There are two main types of keratitis: infectious and noninfectious. Each type has several forms and requires a different treatment approach.

Noninfectious Keratitis

Surgery, trauma, or underlying eye diseases that weaken the eye can lead to corneal swelling and pain without an actual infection. This form of keratitis may result from:

Infectious Keratitis

Infectious keratitis typically develops after the cornea has already been damaged. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens then enter the injured eye and cause keratitis. Infectious keratitis may be:

Read also: Corneal Abrasion Treatment – How to Treat a Scratched Eye

Diagnosis of keratitis symptoms

Causes and Risk Factors for Keratitis

Keratitis develops when something triggers inflammation of the cornea. Certain factors increase the likelihood of this happening, including:

Causes of Noninfectious Keratitis

Wearing contact lenses is the most common risk factor for developing keratitis. Contacts can scratch, dry out, or irritate the cornea. This damage often occurs when lenses are worn for too long, such as overnight.

Another related risk factor is dry eye disease or reduced tear production. Photokeratitis (ultraviolet keratitis) is an eye injury caused by exposure to intense light. People who do not protect their eyes from strong sunlight—such as at the beach, while skiing, or when viewing a solar eclipse—are at increased risk.

Other risk factors for noninfectious keratitis include working with chemicals or machinery, seasonal allergies, and overuse or improper use of steroid eye drops.

Causes of Infectious Keratitis

Risk factors for infectious keratitis—whether viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic—include:

Read also: What Is Conductive Keratoplasty?

Diagnosing Keratitis Symptoms

An ophthalmologist can diagnose keratitis by performing a detailed eye examination using a bright light and a slit lamp. The doctor will also ask about the person’s medical history and when symptoms began. Special eye drops that stain the cornea may be used to make scratches or defects more visible.

If fungal or bacterial keratitis is suspected, the doctor will take a sample from the cornea with a swab and send it to the laboratory for analysis. To treat parasitic keratitis, the exact parasite causing the infection must be identified. Viral keratitis usually does not require laboratory testing; instead, the diagnosis is based on the person’s history and clinical findings.

Read also: Average Cost of Corneal Transplant Worldwide

Treatment of Keratitis and Relief of Keratitis Symptoms

First, anyone with keratitis symptoms who wears contact lenses should remove them and keep them out until the condition has completely resolved. The best medical treatment depends on the specific type of keratitis.

Mild, noninfectious keratitis often heals on its own. To relieve burning, stinging, and soreness, the doctor may recommend artificial tears, ophthalmic ointments, cold compresses, an eye patch, and rest. If there is significant swelling, steroid eye drops may be prescribed.

For mild bacterial infections, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops. In more severe cases, oral antibiotics may be needed. If the keratitis is severe, adding steroid eye drops to the treatment plan can help reduce inflammation and swelling.

For viral keratitis, the doctor prescribes antiviral eye drops or oral antiviral medications. There is no definitive cure for many viral eye infections, and they may flare up again during periods of illness or stress. Some people with recurrent viral keratitis require long-term antiviral therapy to prevent recurrences.

Treatment of fungal keratitis to fully resolve symptoms usually involves long-term antifungal eye drops and sometimes oral antifungal medications, often for several months. Parasitic keratitis (such as Acanthamoeba keratitis) is particularly difficult to treat and may require specially compounded eye drops prepared by the treating physician.

Read also: Can I Have LASIK If I Have Thin Corneas?

Whatever corneal condition or problem you may have, this highly delicate structure of the eye requires thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment by a skilled, experienced ophthalmologist. With effective medical tools and techniques, it is possible to achieve positive outcomes. Whatever eye disease you are dealing with, you can book an appointment at Batal Specialized Medical Complex for a comprehensive examination and to begin addressing your eye problems, whatever they may be.