Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, or the clear tissue on the front of the eye. It can be caused by a number of problems such as an infection, injury or underlying disease. Wearing your contacts too long can also cause keratitis. While this condition might seem to be low risk, it can actually lead to temporary or permanent vision loss.
To protect your vision and avoid painful inflammation, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of keratitis and how to treat it. Below is everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms and treatments for keratitis.
What Causes Keratitis to Happen?
Noninfectious keratitis is usually caused by an injury, such as wearing your contacts too long or getting something stuck in your eye. Infectious keratitis is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. This condition ranges from mild to severe, but all cases require treatment. Otherwise, the infection can lead to serious complications, including loss of vision.
The most common risk factors for keratitis are:
- Injury to the eye
- Contaminated contact lenses
- Viruses and bacteria
- Contaminated water
- Reduced immunity
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Keratitis?
Generally speaking, keratitis is a painful condition that you can’t ignore. As you experience symptoms of irritation and inflammation, you should contact your eye specialist right away. These symptoms can indicate a wide range of problems, including keratitis. Unfortunately, inflammatory conditions like this can cause scarring and permanent vision loss.
The signs and symptoms to pay attention to are:
- Eye redness
- Eye pain
- Discharge from the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Trouble opening the eye
- Feeling like there’s something in the eye
How Do Eye Doctors Treat Keratitis?
When you schedule an appointment with your retinal disease Brooklyn specialist, they’ll run a number of tests to diagnose the problem. If it turns out that you’re dealing with keratitis, your eye specialist will recommend the appropriate treatment.
Noninfectious keratitis is treated with artificial tear drops, eye patches and/or topical eye medications. The treatment for infectious keratitis is aimed at treating the underlying infection. Your eye doctor may prescribe antibacterial eye drops, antifungal eye drops or antiviral eye drops.
For Healthy Eyes, Address Eye Inflammation Immediately
Any time you experience inflammation in the eye, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Untreated keratitis can eventually lead to cornea damage and vision loss. In severe cases, a cornea transplant may be needed. To speak with a retina specialist who is well-versed in inflammatory eye conditions, contact Empire Retina Consultants today.