- Infection: The most common cause of keratitis is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Infections can be caused by bacteria present in the air, water, or soil, or by viruses such as the herpes virus or hepatitis B virus.
- Dry Eye: This occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears are of poor quality. This can be caused by factors such as age, certain medications, contact lens use, or diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Injury: Keratitis can be caused by an injury to the eye, such as a scratch, blow, or exposure to chemicals.
- Allergy: Some people may develop keratitis as an allergic reaction to certain products, such as makeup, contact lenses, or eye drops.
- Autoimmune Diseases: In some cases, keratitis may be caused by an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Symptoms of Keratitis:
Symptoms of keratitis may include:
- Eye pain
- Redness of the eye
- Sensation of sand or a foreign body in the eye
- Blurred vision
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Excessive tearing
- Pus or ocular discharge
Treatment and Prevention:
The treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Therefore, in cases of infection, antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals will be prescribed in the form of eye drops, ointments, or oral medication. However, in cases of keratitis due to dry eyes, the use of artificial tears is recommended. In cases of injury, allergy, or autoimmune disease, the treatment will depend on the specific cause.
However, there are some measures you can take to prevent it, such as:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes.
- Avoid touching your eyes without first washing your hands.
- Do not share towels or other personal care items.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
- Remove contact lenses before going to sleep and clean and disinfect them properly.
- Maintain good eye hygiene.
- Have regular eye check-ups.
