Keratitis

A keratitis (Greek: Keratos " cornea " ) is an inflammation of the cornea of the eye and can be triggered by a wide variety of causes. Fort Conducted as part of a conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis), it can develop into a keratoconjunctivitis. A combined inflammation of the lacrimal sac ( dacryocystitis ) is also possible. To that extent, a keratitis include many different diseases.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of keratopathy vascularization ( ciliary injection), Chemosen, infiltrates and opacities and neovascularization ( vascularisation ) and tumors ( corneal ulcer ) have. Not infrequently it is accompanied by a rainbow skin inflammation ( iritis ). In contrast to conjunctivitis keratitis is not associated with a marked increased secretion.

Subjective complaints expressed, inter alia, in severe pain, redness of the eye with foreign body sensation, photophobia (photophobia) and deterioration of visual acuity. Irritation and pain caused by the sensory innervation of the cornea nasociliary by the nerve.

Causes and Types

The etiology of keratitis is diverse. Possible causes are:

  • Chemical: acids or alkalis
  • Physically: UV radiation while sunbathing or arc welding, often with accompanying conjunctivitis
  • Mechanical: foreign body introduced into the Konjunktivalfalte, lagophthalmos
  • Genetically KID syndrome
  • Biological: bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes ); Fungi ( Candida spp, Aspergillus spp, especially after antibiotic therapy, or corticosteroid eye drops. . ); Viruses (eg, keratitis disciformis by herpes viruses ), amoebae ( Acanthamoeba )
  • Neurologically: neuroparalytica as keratitis caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve

Another highly infectious form, the keratitis epidemic dar. Triggered by an adenovirus, it is extremely contagious and reportable as such.

Therapy

In a keratitis always an ophthalmologist should be consulted in principle. Basic treatment measures depend on the particular cause. A co-treatment of a possibly accompanying iritis should also be done.

Chemosis Infiltration (medical) Candida (fungus)
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