Ocular Keratitis

A term used to define a wide variety of corneal infections, irritations and inflammations, since each type of condition is unique, medical diagnosis and treatment is essential. Corneal ulcers are usually caused by bacterial or fungal invasions following superficial corneal abrasions, and among the common infectious agents are: staphylococcus, streptococcus, herpes (both simplex and zoster), adenovirus, measles, rubella, mumps, trachoma, infectious mononucleosis, and pneumococcus, also the fault may be deficient in vitamin A or broad spectrum of reactions to antibiotics. Corneal ulcers may also follow trauma, may be associated with other eye infections (eg conjunctivitis), may be linked to other disorders of the cornea.

Keratitis is a condition of the eye in which the cornea is inflamed. Bacterial infection of the cornea may follow an injury or wearing contact lenses. Viral infection of the cornea is usually caused by herpes simplex and called a 'dendritic ulcer' because of its shape when viewed with a slit lamp. amoebic infection of the cornea is the most serious infection of the cornea, usually only affect soft contact lens wearers.

Causes

A wide variety of conditions can cause inflammation of the cornea. Among these are viral, bacterial or fungal infection, exposure to ultraviolet light, as sunlight or sunlamps, exposure to other sources of intense light, such as welding arcs or snow or water glare, irritation from the excessive use of contact lenses, dry eyes caused by a disorder of the eyelid or insufficient tear formation, a foreign body in the eye, vitamin A, or a reaction to eye drops, eye cosmetics, pollution or airborne particles like dust, pollen, mold or yeast. The condition is also a side effect of some drugs.

Most infectious causes occur in association with viral, chlamydial, or bacterial eyelid and conjunctiva. The rapid response to corticosteroid therapy suggests a hyperimmune or dyskeratotic mechanism, although this has not been proven.

Symptoms

Keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) usually presents as a unilateral "red eye" with a varying degree of pain or eye irritation.
Photophobia and tearing are common, but vision may or may not be affected, depending on the location and extent of the lesion of the cornea. You can see a vesicular rash and follicular conjunctivitis with the initial infection, but they are less common with recurrent HSV. One sign is the most common secondary uveitis.

The symptoms are often very similar to conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva, and photophobia. The eye becomes very red and there may be sensitivity to light and the eye may feel uncomfortable. In the later stages of more severe cases, there may be severe pain, loss of vision / blurring, and pus may form.

Treatment

Antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and drugs will be used to treat the appropriate agency. broad-spectrum antibiotics will be used immediately, but once the lab analysis determines the organism in question, the drug may be changed. Sometimes more than one medication is necessary. It depends on the infection, but the patient must be clear about the frequency and how to use drugs.

A sterile cotton swab can be used to gently remove infected tissue and allow the eye to heal more quickly. Laser surgery is sometimes performed to destroy diseased cells, and some severe infections require corneal transplants.