A health condition that may occur due to infectious and noninfectious causes and causes eye swelling, pain, and watery eyes is called keratitis (also known as corneal inflammation). The risk of developing this condition also increases if you are wearing contact lenses and do not clean them properly.
In other words, keratitis is a condition in which the cornea becomes inflamed. The cornea is a clear window that covers the iris and the pupil in the eye. Healthcare professionals have divided this condition into 2 types based on the cause. These include infectious keratitis and noninfectious keratitis. It is very important to see a doctor if you suspect you have keratitis or experience symptoms that resemble it. Otherwise, it may cause damage to your eyes and cause blindness.
Generally, this is a common eye disorder that can be treated. However, in developing countries, this is a serious condition that significantly increases the risk of a complete loss of vision (blindness). Moreover, some infectious causes of keratitis can spread from one person to another through contaminated objects.
What Are The Symptoms of Keratitis?
Usually, people who develop this condition experience the following symptoms. These include:
- Photophobia (increased sensitivity to light)
- Difficulty opening the eyelids
- Blurred vision
- Watery eyes
- Eye pain
- Red, irritated, or bloodshot eyes
- A feeling like something is stuck in the eye
If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms listed above, contact a doctor immediately. Leaving this condition untreated may lead to serious complications.
Causes
Typically, there are a lot of infectious and noninfectious causes of keratitis. Check some of them below:
Infectious Causes
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Parasitic infections that may cause Acanthamoeba keratitis
- Viral infections – One of the most common viruses that causes keratitis is herpes simplex virus.
Noninfectious Causes
These include:
- Wearing contact lenses for long periods or not clearing them properly
- Continuous exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light
- A deficiency of vitamin A
- Eye injuries
- A foreign object in the eye
- Eyelid disorders
- Immune system disorders
Risk Factors
While anyone can develop keratitis, doctors have identified some factors that may increase your risk. These include:
- Damage to the eye caused by contact lenses or an outer infection
- Wearing contact lenses while you are in pools, hot tubs, or outdoor water sources
- Prolonged use of Corticosteroids (a group of medicines used to reduce inflammation)
- Weakened immune system
- Dry eyes
- Injury to the eye (including surgery)
What Are The Possible Complications of Keratitis?
Those who ignore the symptoms or leave keratitis untreated may also experience some complications. Check some examples below:
- Cornea scarring – It is often caused by permanent opacity or cloudiness on the cornea that blocks light from entering the eye.
- Irregular astigmatism – In some cases, the cornea does not heal properly, which may lead to curves that distort vision and usually require specialized gas-permeable lenses.
- Cornea perforation or thinning – In more severe cases, infections or ulcers may negatively affect the corneal tissue, which may lead to a rupture or hole in the eye.
- Neovascularization – It occurs when certain small blood vessels grow into clear corneal tissue. Most of the time, this complication is caused by chronic hypoxia or inflammation.
- Endophthalmitis – In this case, certain microorganisms affect the cornea and may infect internal fluids and certain structures of the eyeball.
- Secondary glaucoma – People with keratitis may also have some changes that block fluid drainage inside the eye, which leads to increased intraocular pressure.
- Blindness – In more advanced stages of keratitis, scarring, perforation, or internal eye infection may lead to permanent loss of vision.
This article does not contain a full list of complications, but you can talk with your physician about measures to reduce the risk.
Is There a Way to Prevent Keratitis?
Doctors usually recommend the following tips that may help reduce the risk or even prevent keratitis. Examples include:
- Avoid swimming, showering, or using the hot tub while wearing contact lenses
- Get protective eyewear while working or playing contact sports
- Get protection against UV rays (such as sunglasses)
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water to prevent infections
- Do not get in close contact with people who are sick
Diagnosis
Doctors often start the diagnosis with an eye examination and questions about the symptoms and medical history. However, to rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to those of keratitis, they will perform the following tests. Examples include:
- A culture of discharge from the eye – This test is used to check for bacterial infections.
- Fluorescein stain test – During this test, doctors will put a dye into the eye and then look at it with a blue lamp.
Treatment
While mild forms of keratitis can be treated with eye drops, in more severe cases, doctors often recommend antibiotics (to treat bacterial infections), antifungal medicines (to treat fungal infections), or antivirals (to treat viral infections). They may also prescribe some pain relievers and corticosteroids. In rare cases, doctors recommend a cornea transplant. It is used in people who do not respond to medicines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is keratitis contagious?
Not all types of keratitis are contagious. Infectious keratitis caused by certain viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites may spread indirectly through contaminated objects or poor hygiene practices. However, noninfectious keratitis caused by injuries, dry eyes, UV exposure, or contact lens misuse cannot spread from person to person.
How serious is keratitis?
Keratitis can range from mild to severe. If diagnosed and treated early, most people recover without permanent vision problems. Delaying treatment may lead to corneal scarring, glaucoma, corneal perforation, or permanent vision loss.
Can wearing contact lenses cause keratitis?
Yes. Wearing contact lenses improperly is one of the most common risk factors for keratitis. Sleeping in contact lenses, wearing them longer than recommended, or exposing them to tap water, swimming pools, lakes, or hot tubs increases the risk of infection.
How long does keratitis take to heal?
Recovery depends on the cause and severity. Mild noninfectious keratitis may improve within a few days with proper treatment, while bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic keratitis can take several weeks or even months to heal completely. Severe cases may require long-term follow-up.
Can keratitis go away without treatment?
Some mild cases of noninfectious keratitis may improve once the underlying cause is removed, such as taking out contact lenses or treating dry eyes. In most cases, infectious keratitis usually requires prompt medical treatment. You should never ignore symptoms because the condition can worsen quickly.
What is Acanthamoeba keratitis?
Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious eye infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Acanthamoeba. It most commonly affects contact lens wearers who expose their lenses to contaminated water or fail to clean them properly. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce the risk of permanent vision damage.
When should I seek emergency medical care for keratitis?
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, worsening redness, extreme sensitivity to light, significant eye discharge, or if your symptoms rapidly worsen despite treatment. Prompt care can help prevent serious complications.
Can children develop keratitis?
Yes. Although keratitis is more common in adults who wear contact lenses, children can also develop it due to eye injuries, infections, vitamin A deficiency, or underlying medical conditions. Any child with persistent eye redness, pain, or vision changes should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Can keratitis come back after treatment?
Yes. Keratitis may recur, especially if the underlying cause is not eliminated. For instance, people with recurrent herpes simplex virus infections, chronic dry eye disease, or poor contact lens hygiene have a higher risk of developing repeated episodes.
What is the outlook for people with keratitis?
The outlook is generally good when keratitis is diagnosed and treated early. Most people recover fully without lasting vision problems. In any case, severe infections or delayed treatment can result in permanent corneal damage, vision impairment, or blindness, making early medical evaluation extremely important. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
