Keratitis (inflammation of cornea)
About Keratitis (inflammation of cornea)
Inflammation of the cornea. The cornea is the clear part of the eye that covers the colored portion of the eye. The disorder can be caused by: trauma, ultraviolet radiation (snow blindness, a temporary form of damage to the cornea), welding, infections, inflammatory immune system diseases, and chemical exposures. Wearing sunglasses when outside for long periods of time and wearing an eye shield while welding or working with caustic chemicals can reduce the chance of getting this disorder.Symptoms
Eye pain, photophobia (increased pain with looking at light), excessive tearing, foreign body sensation of the eye.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis is made by performing a slit lamp examination, and fluorescein staining of the cornea. Depending on whether other symptoms are present, tests to identify an autoimmune disease may be recommended.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
The treatment depends on the cause or underlying disease and the severity of the condition. Common treatments include: wearing an eye patch, antimicrobial drugs (topical or oral), steroid eye drops or oral steroids, or immune-suppressing medications. For severe disease that does not respond to other treatments, a corneal transplant may be recommended.Medical specialties
Ophthalmology
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Keratitis (inflammation of cornea).