Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea
of the eye.
(That this term concerns the cornea of the eye is indicated by the
prefix "kerat-" which refers to the cornea
of the eye, also applied to other terms in this section - as listed on
the left).
As with many disorders of the eye/vision, the affected eye(s) water and
are itchy, sore, even painful. Vision is adversely affected, generally
blurred, and often painful.
Keratitis may result from bacterial, viral or fungal
infections, or may be non-infective such as due to trauma or associated
with an auto-immune disease.
Classification:
Since the cornea of the eye can become inflammed for various reasons,
keratitis is a condition that exists many forms - some
of which may be distinguished by nuances in the symptoms, others according
to the aetiology (i.e. the cause of the inflammed cornea).
Specific types of keratitis include:
- Acanthamoeba keratitis.
- Bacterial keratitis.
- Disciform keratitis.
- Epithelial keratitis.
- Filamentary keratitis.
- Fungal keratitis.
- Marginal keratitis.
- Rosacea keratitis.
- Stromal necrotic keratitis.
Treatment/management of keratitis depends on on the
cause and severity in each individual case.
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
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This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
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