What is Keratitis?
Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea: the clear part of the eye that covers and protects the iris and pupil. The cornea can become inflamed when it is injured or when bacteria, fungus, or parasites enter the eye through contact with untreated water. Unfortunately, Keratitis may also stem from old or unclean makeup, or contact lense equipment that isn’t properly disinfected.
The worst part about Keratitis is that it can cause serious problems if it is left untreated. Unfortunately, serious cases of Keratitis have been known to leave permanent damage and even blindness in eyes of sufferers. Keep your eyes healthy and visit your eye doctor if you fear you may have Keratitis.
What are the symptoms?
Keratitis causes uncomfortable symptoms in the eye, so you will likely notice one or more of them. Depending on how early you catch Keratitis, you may notice:
- Sensitive eyes when in the sun or under bright lights
- Blurred vision
- Painful or tender eye
- Redness in the eye
- Difficulty opening your eye
How do you treat Keratitis?
You will likely need medicated ointment or antibiotic eye drops to help your eye fight off Keratitis. Depending on how serious your case is, you may need to put drops in your eye multiple times a day for five days or more.
Preventing Keratitis
You can help prevent Keratitis by throwing out old or expired makeup like eyeliner, mascara, or eyeshadow. Practicing proper hygiene when handling your contact lenses can also cut down on your risk of Keratitis. Do not reuse the solution your contacts sit in at night, don’t sleep in your contacts, and make sure to rub them clean every day to loosen protein and other particles that may adhere to them.
If you feel you might have an eye infection, contact us today at (757) 484-0101 to schedule a consultation. Treating Keratitis early can help prevent complications like permanent eye damage.
