keratitis
Keratitis is inflammation or inflammation that occurs in the cornea of the eye. Eye injury or infection is the main cause of keratitis.
If ignored or not treated properly, keratitis that develops increasingly severe can trigger various complications. Some of these complications include recurrent or chronic corneal inflammation, corneal swelling and scarring, corneal sores, temporary or permanent vision loss, and blindness.
What are the symptoms of keratitis?
The initial symptom of keratitis is red eye. These symptoms can then be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
See your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms. Keratitis treatment that is fast and appropriate will avoid serious complications.
Causes of keratitis
Keratitis can be caused by a viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection. However, the most common cause of keratitis is corneal injury. Injury to the cornea may be caused by the use of contact lenses, scratches of foreign bodies on the cornea or chemical contamination, for example in swimming pools. Wearing contact lenses is a major factor that can increase the risk of keratitis. This is partly due to unclean contact lenses, prolonged use, or contaminated cleaning products. In addition, vitamin A deficiency, dry eyes, intense sun exposure and autoimmune diseases can also cause keratitis.
Keratitis is not contagious until the cause is due to infection, unless there is a secondary infection of keratitis which was not initially contagious. Transmission can occur through hands that are contaminated with germs, for example after handling contaminated objects and then watching them.
There are several factors that can trigger keratitis. These include a weakened immune system, for example due to HIV / AIDS, in hot and humid locations, or the use of eye drops containing corticosteroids that can trigger keratitis due to infection or even worsening keratitis. suffer from.
Diagnosis of keratitis
The diagnosis of keratitis is usually made by an eye specialist. Initially, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Physical examination in the form of vision and eye structures will also be carried out. Checking the structure of the eye will help the doctor know the level of corneal infection and its impact on other parts of the eyeball.
If necessary, the doctor will also take a sample of fluid that comes out of the eye to be examined in the laboratory. This examination helps determine the cause of keratitis.
Blood tests can also be recommended for patients suspected of having keratitis due to other diseases.
Treatment of keratitis
The care given to each patient with keratitis varies according to the cause, severity and overall health of the patient.
Non-infectious keratitis caused by minor injuries, such as scratches on contact lenses, usually heal by itself. However, if it bothers you, your doctor may prescribe medication and recommend the use of eyebands until the eye condition improves.
Other cases of keratitis caused by infection. This type of keratitis usually requires administration of drugs, namely:
Most of these medicines are in the form of eye drops. However, if necessary, the doctor can also prescribe tablets to treat infections caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.
Complications of keratitis
The most feared complications of keratitis are thickening of the corneal wall, cuts and tears in the cornea which can cause inflammation of the entire eyeball (endophthalmitis) and the risk of losing the eyeball. . Corneal lesions (corneal ulcers) can cause decreased visual acuity, temporary or permanent, and can even cause blindness.
Prevention of keratitis
Keratitis is a disease that can be prevented. The simple steps we can take include:
If ignored or not treated properly, keratitis that develops increasingly severe can trigger various complications. Some of these complications include recurrent or chronic corneal inflammation, corneal swelling and scarring, corneal sores, temporary or permanent vision loss, and blindness.
The initial symptom of keratitis is red eye. These symptoms can then be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Red eyes, pain, swelling, and irritation.
- Sensitive to light.
- Tears or dirt continuously.
- I can not open my eyes.
- The sensation of small objects like sand in the eye.
- Changes in vision quality, such as not focusing on the sight of an object or reducing vision clarity.
See your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms. Keratitis treatment that is fast and appropriate will avoid serious complications.
Causes of keratitis
Keratitis can be caused by a viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection. However, the most common cause of keratitis is corneal injury. Injury to the cornea may be caused by the use of contact lenses, scratches of foreign bodies on the cornea or chemical contamination, for example in swimming pools. Wearing contact lenses is a major factor that can increase the risk of keratitis. This is partly due to unclean contact lenses, prolonged use, or contaminated cleaning products. In addition, vitamin A deficiency, dry eyes, intense sun exposure and autoimmune diseases can also cause keratitis.
Keratitis is not contagious until the cause is due to infection, unless there is a secondary infection of keratitis which was not initially contagious. Transmission can occur through hands that are contaminated with germs, for example after handling contaminated objects and then watching them.
There are several factors that can trigger keratitis. These include a weakened immune system, for example due to HIV / AIDS, in hot and humid locations, or the use of eye drops containing corticosteroids that can trigger keratitis due to infection or even worsening keratitis. suffer from.
Diagnosis of keratitis
The diagnosis of keratitis is usually made by an eye specialist. Initially, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Physical examination in the form of vision and eye structures will also be carried out. Checking the structure of the eye will help the doctor know the level of corneal infection and its impact on other parts of the eyeball.
If necessary, the doctor will also take a sample of fluid that comes out of the eye to be examined in the laboratory. This examination helps determine the cause of keratitis.
Blood tests can also be recommended for patients suspected of having keratitis due to other diseases.
Treatment of keratitis
The care given to each patient with keratitis varies according to the cause, severity and overall health of the patient.
Non-infectious keratitis caused by minor injuries, such as scratches on contact lenses, usually heal by itself. However, if it bothers you, your doctor may prescribe medication and recommend the use of eyebands until the eye condition improves.
Other cases of keratitis caused by infection. This type of keratitis usually requires administration of drugs, namely:
- Antiviral medicine. This drug can be used to treat keratitis caused by herpes simplex or shingles.
- Antibiotic medicine. This drug is used to treat keratitis caused by bacterial infections.
- Antifungal drugs. This drug is used to treat keratitis due to fungal infections.
Most of these medicines are in the form of eye drops. However, if necessary, the doctor can also prescribe tablets to treat infections caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.
Complications of keratitis
The most feared complications of keratitis are thickening of the corneal wall, cuts and tears in the cornea which can cause inflammation of the entire eyeball (endophthalmitis) and the risk of losing the eyeball. . Corneal lesions (corneal ulcers) can cause decreased visual acuity, temporary or permanent, and can even cause blindness.
Prevention of keratitis
Keratitis is a disease that can be prevented. The simple steps we can take include:
- Don't forget to remove your lens before going to sleep or swimming.
- Treat contact lenses regularly and carefully, for example by washing hands before cleaning, use sterile cleaning products specifically designed for contact lenses, and do not clean contact lenses with used liquids.
- Be sure to replace contact lenses within the time limit.
- Avoid using eye drops containing corticosteroids unless directed by a doctor.
- Remember to wash your hands before touching the eyes or the surrounding area. Especially if you are infected with the herpes virus because it can cause automatic transmission.
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