Corneal Inflammation – What Is Keratitis and How Is It Treated?
Corneal inflammation, also known as keratitis, is an eye disease resulting from inflammation of the cornea. The transparent structure of the cornea can become cloudy due to the inflammation, which negatively affects visual quality. Keratitis may result from infections, but it can also be caused by trauma or excessive contact lens use.
Causes of Corneal Inflammation – Keratitis
Infections
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Bacterial Keratitis: May develop due to contact lens use, eye injuries, or lack of hygiene.
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Viral Keratitis: Can be triggered by viruses such as herpes simplex virus (HSV) and adenovirus.
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Fungal Keratitis: May occur after eye injuries, especially following contact with plant materials.
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Parasitic Keratitis: Caused by parasites like Acanthamoeba; commonly seen in contact lens users.
Trauma
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Physical Injuries: Foreign objects, scratches, or cuts can lead to corneal inflammation.
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Chemical Burns: Exposure to chemicals can damage the cornea.
Contact Lens Use
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Excessive and Improper Use: Long-term contact lens use, poor hygiene, or improper cleaning may cause keratitis.
Other Causes
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Dry Eyes: Inadequate moisture on the eye’s surface can result in corneal inflammation.
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Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis may lead to corneal inflammation.
Symptoms of Corneal Inflammation – Keratitis
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Redness and swelling in the eye
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Severe eye pain
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Burning or stinging sensation
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Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
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Blurred or impaired vision
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Tearing and discharge from the eye
Treatment Methods for Corneal Inflammation – Keratitis
Medication
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Antibiotic Eye Drops: Used in the treatment of bacterial keratitis
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Antiviral Eye Drops: Used for viral keratitis
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Antifungal Eye Drops: Used for fungal keratitis
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Steroid Eye Drops: Used to reduce inflammation, but should be used cautiously in infection-related keratitis
Discontinuation of Contact Lens Use
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Explanation: Contact lens use should be stopped during treatment.
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Benefit: Helps the healing process and reduces the risk of further infection.
Attention to Eye Hygiene
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Explanation: Maintaining proper eye hygiene helps reduce infection risk and supports the treatment process.
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Benefit: Aids in faster healing of inflammation in the eye.
Important Considerations in Keratitis Treatment
Surgical Intervention
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Early Diagnosis: Early detection positively impacts the treatment process and helps prevent complications.
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Regular Check-Ups: Ongoing monitoring by an ophthalmologist increases treatment effectiveness.
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Contact Lens Hygiene: Contact lens users should be attentive to hygiene and usage duration.
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Eye Protection: Use protective eyewear to avoid exposure to chemicals or physical trauma.
Corneal inflammation – keratitis can be effectively managed with the right treatment methods, improving patients’ visual quality.
Ophthalmologist Op. Dr. Ömer TAKEŞ, with his extensive experience and expertise, provides the most appropriate solutions for keratitis, helping patients regain clear and healthy vision.
For more information about keratitis and other eye conditions or to schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic.
In advanced keratitis cases, where the cornea is severely damaged, surgical intervention may be required.
Damaged corneal tissue is repaired through corneal transplantation or other surgical methods.
