Causes of Keratitis Eye Cornea Problems: Fungal Keratitis, Bacterial Keratitis, Herpes Keratitis

Keratitis indicates you have corneal inflammation or swelling eye condition. This term includes cornea infections as well.

Your cornea is that clear, dome-shaped surface over the front of your eye. It covers your pupil and the colored part of your eye.

There are differing causes of keratitis problems, such as:

The use of contact lenses are a frequent cause of eye cornea trauma problems and a risk factor for microbial keratitis.  Other risks associated with various types of keratitis include:

The most common symptoms of keratitis are:

Fungal keratitis refers to a corneal infection caused by fungi. Fungus is not a common cause, but is a major cause of infectious keratitis in tropical areas of the world. The incidence of varying types of fungal keratitis is climate specific.

One type of fungus that infects the cornea is fusarium. Others are candida and aspergillus.

Aspergillus is the most common cause of fungal keratitis. Fusarium keratitis is rare, but can be a serious infection. Fusarium is commonly found in organic matter, like soil and plants.

Bacterial keratitis is a corneal infection problem that usually develops very quickly. Some bacteria responsible for bacterial keratitis are:

The most common cause of bacterial keratitis is Staphylococcus aureus. However, cases involving contact lens wear and cosmetics is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bacterial keratitis treatment usually involves antibiotic drops, and sometimes topical steroids. Corneal abrasions from contact lenses need to be treated because they can allow bacteria to penetrate your cornea, which can cause an infection.

Herpes keratitis is a viral infection of your eye caused by the herpes simplex or herpes zoster viruses. These infections generally involve recurrent keratitis, that can be brought on by stress, fatigue or ultraviolet light. A serious case of herpes keratitis can severely damage your eye if left untreated.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a painful and tough to treat corneal infection caused by acanthamoeba parasite. This ameba is relatively common in the environment. It typically occurs in healthy folks, mostly contact lens wearers.

Interstitial keratitis is a chronic deep cornea tissue inflammation. Usually it occurs as a complication of syphilis, yet it may occur with tuberculosis, leprosy or other infectious diseases too.

Photokeratitis (snowblindness) is caused by excessive exposure to UV light. You may not notice its painful affects until several hours later and it can last for a couple of days.

Treatment of your keratitis will depend on its cause. Antibiotics, antifungals and antiviral medications and drops are used to treat infections. Never use corticosteroids drops unless directed to do so by your health care provider because they reduce your eye’s ability to fight infection and repair injury.

Laser surgery is sometimes used to destroy unhealthy cells. And severe infections may require corneal transplants.

Although treatment can cure most forms of keratitis, an infection can cause:

  • glaucoma
  • cornea ulceration
  • permanent scarring

Or even blindness. Thus, have any unusual problems with the health of your eyes examined immediately.

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