Keratitis

Inflammation of the cornea that can cause pain, redness, and blurred vision, often needing prompt treatment.

Common symptoms

Eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, watery eyes, and the feeling of something in the eye.

Description

Keratitis means inflammation of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. It can happen because of infection (for example bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) or non-infectious causes such as eye injury, very dry eyes, or contact lens overuse.

Because the cornea is important for focusing vision, inflammation can quickly affect sight and comfort. People often notice pain, redness, sensitivity to light, watering, and blurred vision.

Prompt assessment is important, especially for contact lens wearers, because untreated infectious keratitis can lead to corneal scarring and lasting vision problems. Treatment depends on the cause and may include antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal eye drops, as well as stopping contact lens use until recovery.