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Keratitis

Keratitis is a condition in which the eye 's cornea is inflamed. The primary risk factors for this condition are:  swimming in pools, lakes or sea water while wearing contact lenses, storing contact lenses in home made solutions, and poor contact lens hygiene.The lesions appear punctate (looking like dots or points) but sometimes can appear dendritic (linear and branching).Corneal ulcers are commonly caused by bacterial or fungal invasions following superficial corneal abrasions; among the common infectious agents are: staphyloccus, streptococcus, herpes (both simplex and zoster), adenovirus, rubeola, rubella, mumps, trachoma, infectious mononucleosis, and pneumococcus; also at fault may be Vitamin A deficiency or broad spectrum antibiotic drug reactions. The diagnosis must be considered in patients with risk factors who also present with corneal infiltrative deposits or ulceration - especially those in which the condition fails to resolve with traditional antibiotic therapy. As a general rule, the deeper the corneal infection, the more severe the symptoms and complications. It should be noted that microbial infections such as keratitis, although relatively infrequent, are the most serious complication of contact lens wear.

Keratitis is an inflammation or infection of the cornea of the eye. UV radiation damage to the corneal epithelium is cumulative, similar to the effects with dermal epithelium (sunburn). Injury from a welder's arc commonly is known as flash burn, welder's flash, or arc eye. This condition is typically accompanied by severe pain, redness, and scant (if any) discharge.  Other sources of UV radiation injury include suntanning beds, carbon arcs, photographic flood lamps, lightning, electric sparks, and halogen desk lamps. However, certain conditions can allow an infection to occur. For example, a scratch can leave the cornea open to infection. This condition may cause severe pain, reduce visual clarity, produce a corneal discharge, and perhaps erode the cornea. There are several types, including superficial punctate keratitis , in which the cells on the surface of the cornea die; interstitial keratitis , a condition present at birth; herpes simplex viral keratitis , caused by the transmitted herpes virus; and traumatic keratitis , which results when a corneal injury leaves scar tissue.

Causes of Keratitis

The common causes of Keratitis :

• Welder's arcs
• Carbon arcs
• Photographic flood lamps
• Corneal infection
• Bacteria
• vitamin A deficiencies
• Enterobacteria
• Trauma (usually following insertion of an object into the eye)
• fungi
• viruses
• parasites

Symptoms of Keratitis

Some common symptoms of Keratitis :

• Red eye
• Eye inflammation
• Watering eye
• Pain
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• Redness
• tearing, watery eyes, or discharge
• pain and redness in the eye
• discomfort when the child looks at a light (photophobia)
• blurry vision
• feeling as if something is in the eye

Treatment of Keratitis

• your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Pupil dilating eye drops
• Treatment of the underlying cause of keratitis
• your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• The extent of the disease
• your opinion or preference
• The dressing should not be replaced by the patient without professional assistance because excessive pressure can cause further damage to the eye.
• All patients without contraindications should take ibuprofen 600 mg qid and oxycodone with acetaminophen for breakthrough pain.

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