Inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye or keratitis - definition of the disease and treatment

Inflammation of the cornea is a serious disease that can threaten a complete loss of vision. Inflammatory process arises both from traumatic influence, and from various infections. The diagnosis and appointment of treatment is carried out by an ophthalmologist. In order to avoid relapse, treatment should be comprehensive.

Varieties of keratitis

If you feel burning or itching in the eye, you must always show yourself to the ophthalmologist.

In ophthalmology, two types of inflammation of the cornea are defined:

• Superficial keratitis;
• Deep keratitis.

Surface keratitis affects only the upper layer of the mucosa.This disease does not leave scarring and is treated well enough. Deep keratitis is much more difficult to treat and forms on the cornea scars that reduce vision.

Causes

Inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye can be caused by a large number of causes.

The reasons can be both external and internal. In ophthalmology, there is also a definition - keratitis of unclear etiology.This means that there is inflammation of the cornea, and the cause that caused it is not established. There are a number of external causes that can cause keratitis. Types of external keratitis are as follows:

• Bacterial;
• Viral;
• Fungal;
• Traumatic;
• Allergic.

Bacterial keratitis is the most common type of disease. The causes of this disease are pathogenic microorganisms.

First of all:

• Staphylococci;
• Pneumococci;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

More rarely, the cause of bacterial keratitis are the causative agents of gonorrhea and meningitis. Especially difficult is the pseudomonal keratitis, because the inflammation quickly passes to the inner shell of the eye.Pathogenic microflora can enter the eye in case of trauma or during the postoperative period.It is not uncommon for microorganisms to enter the eye with the patient's dirty hands. Often keratitis occurs in persons using contact lenses.It is enough to swim in a not quite clean water basin or rinse the container with tap water.

The cause of viral keratitis can be a common disease of the body, when the virus from other affected organs gets into the eyes. This infection most often affects children and young people.Most often, this pathology is caused by the herpes virus, which is present inactive in almost everyone.Such diseases as measles or chicken pox can also provoke the appearance of viral inflammation of the cornea. Viral keratitis can be provoked not only by external, but also by internal causes.

Fungal keratitis is caused by some species of mycelial and yeast fungi. This disease most often occurs in agricultural workers, when injuries, in the affected area, plant components fall.

The causes of traumatic keratitis are many:

• Mechanical exposure of a foreign body;
• Trauma of the eye with concussion;
• Radiation burn with ionizing radiation;
• The action of a strong ultraviolet;
• Thermal burn;
• Contact with the eye of active chemicals.

The danger of such keratitis is that with injuries and burns irreversible lesions of the eye occur, so even after a complete cure, the patient will have vision problems. Allergic inflammation of the cornea can be seasonal, because it is caused by the pollen of plants.

Internal keratitis is a consequence of some serious illness or disorder in the body. In ophthalmic practice, the following types of keratitis occur, caused by internal causes:

• Avitaminous;
• Tubercular;
• Syphilitic;
• Neuroparalytic.

In some cases, inflammation of the cornea can be caused by a metabolic disorder in the body.

At the slightest suspicion of inflammation of the cornea should consult an ophthalmologist. Progressing disease can lead to loss of vision.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the damaging factor and the cause of the disease, the symptoms can be quite specific.But there are common signs that the pathology is exactly keratitis, and not another disease.The list of symptoms is large enough. The main signs of keratitis include the following manifestations:

• Constant sensation of painful rubbing in the eyes;
• The action of bright light is negatively perceived;
• Spontaneous lacrimation;
• Sensation in the eye of an alien body;
• It is difficult to open your eyes because of the spasm of the eyelids;
• Frequent headaches;
• Severe visual impairment.

A professional examination by a doctor may reveal the following signs of the disease:

• Ulceration of the cornea;
• Noticeable swelling and widening of the blood vessels of the eye;
• The opacity of the cornea.

The signs of keratitis and conjunctivitis are very similar, but the treatment of these diseases is completely different, therefore only the doctor can make the correct diagnosis.

Possible complications

Inflammation of the cornea is characterized by a small number of complications, but all of them are quite heavy.As a result of the inflammatory process, scar and opacities remain on the cornea, reducing visual acuity.The forms of keratitis caused by amoebae or fungus are most difficult to treat. With this pathology, the process affects not only the cornea, but also the internal elements of the eye, which can lead to complete blindness.Often the inflammation of the cornea ends with the formation of a thorn or glaucoma.

Only timely diagnosis, determination of the cause of keratitis and proper treatment will avoid the most serious consequences.

Treatment

When appointing a doctor, the doctor is guided by the cause that caused the disease.Treatment should be conducted in a specialized hospital. The duration of the course depends on the severity of the disease and can last from two to four weeks.Treatment is mainly medicated and only with ulcers is shown surgical intervention or correction of the cornea with the use of a laser.

To reduce painful sensations use means for dilating the pupil and drugs that reduce intraocular pressure, as well as local pain medications.With infectious keratitis antibiotics are shown in the form of drops and ointments, as well as sulfonamide preparations. If the process has gone too far, antimicrobials may be given for ingestion or as injections.It also shows the introduction of drugs in the conjunctiva. In the treatment of inflammation of the cornea, without fail, apply the vitamins of the group "B" and "RR". With viral inflammation, the doctor prescribes treatment with special medications containing interferon.

Allergic form of keratitis is treated with antihistamines in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs. If the inflammation of the cornea is a consequence of a disease of tuberculosis or hepatitis, then complex treatment under the supervision of a doctor of the relevant specialization is used.

In the treatment of inflammation of the cornea, physiotherapy is used.Electrophoresis with antibiotics on closed eyelids or with the use of eyebaths helps to destroy pathogenic microflora.The course of treatment can last 15-30 procedures. In addition to electrophoresis, in the treatment of keratitis, magnetotherapy and UHF are used. Physiotherapy is not used for purulent keratitis, as well as for general contraindications. As folk remedies, sea buckthorn oil, celandine and aloe are used. The juice of these plants, when buried in the eye, removes the edema and reduces painful sensations.

If the disease is started and ulcers appear on the cornea, doctors resort to keratoplasty.This surgery allows you to restore reduced visual function.

The use of folk remedies at home is allowed only after consultation with an ophthalmologist. Self-medication can lead to negative consequences.

Prevention

If certain preventive measures are followed, the risk of getting inflammation of the cornea is minimized. First of all, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene.Infectious keratitis in children often arises from the fact that the child with dirty hands touches his eyes.Those who wear contact lenses should know that it is recommended to wash the container with a special solution and, in extreme cases, boiled water.

When working in conditions of strong dust, special glasses should be used.Means of protection are also necessary when working with chemicals. In the risk group are people who constantly work in very bright light.The percentage of traumatic keratitis is very high and only observance of all safety measures can save a person from eye traumas.

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Neuritis of the optic nerve http://eyesdocs.ru/zabolevaniya/redkie-bolezni/zabolevanie-nevrit-zritelnogo-nerva-simptomy-i-lechenie.html

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conclusions

Inflammation of the cornea is a serious disease, so if you have negative symptoms, you should always consult an ophthalmologist. The effectiveness of treatment directly depends on how timely it is started. Measures taken at an early stage of the disease almost completely eliminate the possibility of complications.

Also read about infectious diseases such as conjunctivitis and dacryocystitis.