Knowra Keratitis Keratitis Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, the transparent front surface of the eye. It can result from infection, injury, or noninfectious disease and may threaten vision.
Cornea : The clear, curved front part of the eye that refracts light and protects deeper structures. Keratitis affects this transparent tissue, whose layers and clarity determine the condition’s effects on sight.
Corneal ulcer : An open defect in the corneal epithelium with underlying tissue loss, often caused by infection or injury. Infectious keratitis can erode the cornea into an ulcer that threatens structural integrity.
Slit lamp : A microscope with a focused beam of light used to examine the front structures of the eye. It reveals corneal defects, infiltrates, and inflammation that help identify keratitis.
Conjunctivitis : Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white of the eye and lining the eyelids. Unlike keratitis, uncomplicated conjunctivitis primarily affects the conjunctiva rather than the cornea.
Corneal epithelium : The outermost cellular layer of the cornea, forming a barrier and renewing rapidly after minor damage. Breaks in this surface allow microbes to enter and can produce painful erosions.
Corneal neovascularization : Growth of new blood vessels into the normally avascular cornea. Chronic inflammation can trigger vessel growth that reduces corneal clarity.
Fluorescein staining : A diagnostic technique in which fluorescent dye highlights defects in the corneal surface under blue light. The pattern of staining can expose epithelial injury associated with keratitis.
Uveitis : Inflammation of the uvea, the eye’s middle layer comprising the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Both conditions can cause pain and light sensitivity, but uveitis involves deeper internal structures.
Tear film : A thin, layered fluid covering the eye’s exposed surface that lubricates it and helps defend against infection. Its antimicrobial components and lubrication help protect the cornea from injury and infectious agents.
Corneal scarring : Persistent fibrous opacity in the cornea following injury, infection, or inflammation. Healing after severe keratitis may leave an opacity in the visual axis.
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