The Cornea serves to cover the front part of the eye. Also, inflammation in the Cornea leads to Keratitis. A red eye is one of the obvious signs of it.
1. Types
- Non-infectious. It may be the result of a minor injury. Hence, wearing contact lenses for a long time irritate the Cornea. Also, unknown objects in the eye are a cause for it. Too much dryness in the eye is another. People who have lack vitamin A may also have it.
- Infectious. This type of Keratitis comes from bacteria. Likewise, other sources are viruses and parasites.
2. Symptoms
A red eye is one of the common Keratitis symptoms. Other signs to look out for are the following:
- Eye pain
- Difficulty in seeing
- Decreased vision
- Sensitive to light
- Presence of tears
- Discharge from the eye
- Difficulty opening the eyelid
- Feeling that something is in the eye
3. Causes
- Contact lenses. Unclean contact lenses serve as a breeding ground for harmful organisms. Therefore, they can live on the surface of the contact lens or its container. Wearing infected lenses will result in infection.
- Injury. Our corneas are sensitive. Moreover, any scratches or injuries may lead to infection. Also, the injury attracts harmful organisms to the eye.
- Viruses. One symptom related to the herpes virus is an infection in the eye.
- Bacteria. Cornea infection can be the result of a bacterium from gonorrhea.
- Unclean water. Natural bodies of water are habitat to many organisms. For instance, oceans, lakes, and rivers have bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Exposure to this when swimming will result in infection.
4. Risk Factors.
The following are factors that may increase the chances of having infection:
- Contact lenses wear. Keratitis is more common in people who use contact lenses. Wearing them for a long time increases the risk.
- Eye injury. Injury in the eye increases your chance of having an infection.
- Weak immune system. A weak immune system cannot defend the body from harmful beings.
- Steroid eye drops. Use of eye drops that contain this is likely to cause infection.
5. Treatment
Contact a doctor once you notice Keratitis symptoms. Do not ignore the signs because this may cause more harm. If not given proper care, it may lead to serious problems. A permanent scar may occur. It is likely to happen if it affected deeper layers of the eye. Hence, it will affect how you see.
Severe cases can cause the creation of a hole in the eye. An operation will be needed to cure this. Glaucoma can happen too. As a result, one can feel painful pressure inside the eye.
Doctors usually recommend medicines for Keratitis treatment. It can be in the form of eye drops or oral medicine. The treatment will depend on the type of eye illness that you have. Some form of infection may not heal by taking medicine.
Doctors will monitor the patient during treatment. Hence, it is done to prevent recurring infections. The non-infectious type does not need medicines. People who have this are advised to monitor their symptoms. If it worsens, they may need to have some.
6. Prevention
One can easily recover from the infection if treated soon. Of course, the best Keratitis treatment is prevention. Wearing contact lenses more than the required time is the common cause of Keratitis. Therefore, it is important not to use them overnight. If you wear contacts, be sure to clean them before and after using them.
Moreover, wash your hands first before cleaning. Gently clean the lenses. Do not apply heavy force as this may tear it. Take them out when sleeping. Please do not wear them when you are swimming. And as much as possible, buy daily wear contacts. Remember to replace the contact lenses when needed.
Important Note
Natural bodies of water contain harmful organisms. But you do not need to worry if your Cornea is healthy. You may only be prone if there is a tear in your Cornea. Protect your eyes at all times. Wear protective eyewear if exposed to plants or trees. Use them too under direct exposure to the sun. Regular eye exams can also help.
Eye doctors can treat the eye problems. Consult a specialist if there is an unknown object in your eye. Proper hygiene reduces the risk of infection. Always wash your hands. If you have a cold sore, do not touch your eye area. Lastly, do not apply anything to your eye. Consult with an eye doctor first.
