Keratitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Keratitis (ker-ah-TEYE-tis) is an inflammation (swelling) of the cornea. The cornea is the thin, colorless covering in the front of the eye. It protects the iris (colored part of the eye) and pupil (opening of the eye where light passes). Keratitis may be ulcerative (open sores) or non-ulcerative (no sores), and may lead to loss of vision. It may be caused by germs, such as bacteria and viruses, fungi (yeast-like germs), or parasites (bugs). It may also be due to diseases that cause inflammation or past eye surgery. Eye trauma or eye problems, such as eyelashes growing into the eye, may also put you at risk of having keratitis. Poor contact lens care or having a weak immune system may also increase your risk.
  
  
• Common signs and symptoms of keratitis may include eye pain, redness, and tearing. Your vision may be blurred or your cornea may have sores. A detailed health history and a complete eye exam may be needed for diagnosis. Tests, such as a culture and smear exam, and a biopsy, may also be done. Treatment will depend on the cause of your keratitis and how bad the condition is. This may include medicines to treat an infection or surgery to replace the cornea. With treatment, such as medicine, more serious problems of keratitis may be prevented.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Treatment for keratitis may have unpleasant side effects. If medicines are taken by mouth, you may have nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or diarrhea (loose bowel movement). Left untreated, keratitis may cause more serious problems. Your cornea may scar and tear, which may lead to loss of vision. Your symptoms may get worse very quickly. The success of treating keratitis is best when it is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your disease, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Medicines: You may have any of the following:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
  
  
• Antifungal medicine: This medicine helps kill fungus that can cause illness.
  
  
• Antiparasitic medicine: This medicine may be given to kill parasites. Parasites are living things that feed or eat off of other living things.
  
  
• Antiviral medicine: Antiviral medicine may be given to fight an infection caused by a germ called a virus.
  
  
• Steroids: Steroid medicine may be given as an eyedrop to decrease inflammation in your eye.

Tests: You may need any of the following:

• Biopsy: This is a procedure where caregivers remove a small piece of tissue from the affected area of the eye. This sample is then sent to the lab for tests. A biopsy helps caregivers look for the cause of your disease.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Culture and smear exam: A sample is scraped from the affected eye and is placed in a special solution. The sample is then checked under the microscope. A culture and smear exam may help caregivers learn what is causing your disease. It may also tell your caregiver which medicine is best used to treat the disease.

Treatment option: You may need to have surgery if your cornea is badly damaged. A cornea from a donor may be put into your eye to replace the damaged part of your cornea.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page