What is the difference between conjunctivitis and keratitis?

Conjunctivitis is infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids as well. Viruses are the most common cause, though it’s also caused by bacteria and chemicals. Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, which is the clear covering of the eye and is caused by viruses, fungi, and parasites.

What causes keratitis without an infection?

An injury or when an object scratches the surface of the cornea or penetrates a cornea, keratitis without infection may occur. In addition, an injury may allow bacteria or fungi to gain access to the cornea through the damaged surface, causing infectious keratitis.

Can water cause keratitis?

Water can lead to keratitis when chlorinated water, the chemical that is used to treat swimming pools irritates the eye. This is typically a minor ailment and will likely heal on its own. Swimming while wearing contact lenses can also cause keratitis. Moreover, water contaminated with bacteria or fungi, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes, can lead to a more severe form of keratitis.

How can keratitis be prevented?

The main way to prevent keratitis is by taking proper care while wearing and handling your contact lenses. Daily disposable contact lenses are associated with a lower risk of keratitis than weekly or monthly options. It is recommended to wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lenses, and replace your contact lens case after every six months. Contact lenses should also be cleaned and stored in lens solution and not in water.

How can I control viral keratitis?

Steps to control viral keratitis include avoiding touching your eyes, your eyelids, and the skin around your eyes with unclean hands. Following hand hygiene and using eye drops prescribed by an eye doctor are also important.

Keratitis

Written By Dr. Sakshi SharmaBDS

Reviewed By Dr. Varun Gupta

MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated on: 27 Sep 2022 | 06:23 PM (IST)

Overview

Keratitis is the inflammation of the cornea which is the clear outer layer of the eye that focuses light. The severity of keratitis may range from mild to severe and can be associated with inflammation of other regions of the eye as well. It may also involve one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral).

Keratitis is caused by either infectious agents or non-infectious causes. Infectious diseases are mainly caused by microbes like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The noninfectious keratitis is majorly caused by local factors irritating the eye, or other systemic diseases affecting the eye.

Some of the common symptoms of keratitis are eye irritation and pain, eye discharge, sensitivity to light, blurred vision or partial blindness, and red eyes.

Keratitis is typically easy to treat and resolves quickly. However, if the infection spreads beyond the surface of your cornea, it may leave scars that impair your eyesight or possibly cause loss of vision. Thus, appropriate and timely management is very important.

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