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Keratitis-Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and Prevention

What is Keratitis?

Keratitis is the inflammatory condition of the cornea, a part of our eye.  

What is cornea? 

  • Cornea is the thin transparent film or layer that covers the front aspect of the eye including the iris, pupil and the anterior chamber.  
  • It covers almost one-sixth portion of the anterior eye.  
  • It is the first-line defence of the eye and thus prevents any foreign material from invading or attacking the eye.
  • The cornea may swell up and pain while fighting to save our eye. 

The inflammation of cornea may result due to any infection, injury to the eye or exposure to chemical irritants . Corneal dryness often is a risk factor that can help cause keratitis. 

Keratitis can be treated with prompt medical care and treatment by an ophthalmologist or an eye specialist doctor. 

What are the signs and symptoms of keratitis?

Keratitis usually causes discomfort and is characterised by the following signs and symptoms:

  • Redness of the eye, more pronounced in the front portion where cornea lies.
  • Blurred vision or diminished eye sight
  • Burning of the eyes
  • Eye discharge
  • Pain due to swollen up cornea
  • Difficulty opening and closing the eyelids
  • Irritation and discomfort in the eye
  • Feeling of some foreign particle stuck in the eye. 
  • Continuous watering of the eye
  • Eyes are sensitive to light

What are the causes of keratitis?

Keratitis can be of an infectious or a non-infectious origin. 

The keratitis caused by infections may be due to the viral or fungal or bacterial infections.

  • Viruses responsible for herpes simplex may cause kerato-conjunctivitis.
  • Bacteria are always not a direct cause. The bacteria may however, grow into the eyes due to inappropriate hand hygiene or using contact lenses without proper cleaning of lens or the lens-case.  
  • Fungal infections: Candida fungus may attack your cornea when the eyes are not cleaned properly or are being touched within contaminated hands.  Unclean contact lenses may also help grow fungus in your eyes.  
  • Use of contaminated eye drop solutions may spread infection to the healthy eyes
  • Sharing towels and face-napkins

The keratitis of the non-infective origin may be due to the some of the causes such as:

  • Injury to the eye such as scratch or scrape injury by fingernails
  • Chemical irritant injury to the eye
  • wearing contact lenses for long hours
  • Swimming while having contact lenses on
  • Use of low-quality lenses or extensive use day and night
  • Allergies to pollen or dust
  • Excessive exposure to sun may cause photo-keratitis
  • Post-surgery complication of any eye surgeries

How is keratitis diagnosed?

On getting inflamed the eye turns eye and there is a feeling of pain and irritation.  See your doctor.  Tell him/her the chief complaints you have.  On thorough medical checkup, the doctor can see the swollen and cornea.  Your doctor may order an eye swab test to find out any infectious cause of keratitis. 

What is the treatment of Keratitis?


The non-infectious keratitis usually heal on its own with extra care and antibiotic eye drops. 

The infectious keratitis is also treated with use of antibiotic eye drops and oral medications but these cases may take some time to heal your eyes completely and get rid them off of any infectious cause such as virus or bacteria. 

See your doctor and take your medicines regularly.  Follow the recommendations of your doctor. 

How can we prevent keratitis? 

Keratitis can be prevented by following some measures of prevention:

  • Hand washing is the most effective and best practice to control the spread of any infection. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes. Maintain proper hand-hygiene by washing them with antiseptic soap for at least 20 seconds. 
  • Clean your contact lenses only with the provided contact solution and then use them. 
  • Clean the contact box or cases regularly with clean water and dry them first before refilling the contact solution.
  • Do not use the contact lenses for overnight or prolonged hours. 
  • Wear proper-fitting lenses and be gentle whiel wearing them.  Keeping your nails short or filed properly helps prevent any scrape or scratch injury. 
  • When you have any other infection such as seasonal flu or herpes or any other viral infections, avoid touching your eyes because your hands might contain the source of infection. 
  • If accidentally any chemical enters your eyes, wash your eye with ample amount of water.  Do not rub the affected eye. 
  • Always make sure the nozzle of the eye drop container should not touch your eyes or else it gets contaminated. Such instruction is generally written on the label of the eye drop solution. 
  • Avoid too much screen time and exercise your eyes when you can.
Note: This post is for informational and educational purpose only, It is not a substitute to any medical or professional advice or treatment. See your doctor in any case. 
 
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