27 May Keratitis Symptoms And Risk Factors
If your eyes are red, irritated, or unusually sensitive to light, you might be dealing with more than just a little dryness—keratitis could be the culprit. This common yet potentially serious eye condition can affect anyone, whether you wear contact lenses, have dry eyes, or recently had an eye injury. In this blog, we’ll break down the most common keratitis symptoms, explore effective treatments, and share tips on how to protect your eyes before things get worse. Because when it comes to your vision, a little knowledge goes a long way.
What Is Keratitis?
Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea—the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye and plays a major role in focusing vision. When the cornea becomes inflamed, it can cause symptoms ranging from mild irritation and redness to severe pain and blurred vision. In more serious cases, keratitis can threaten your eyesight and even lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
The condition can affect one or both eyes and isn’t limited by age, race, or lifestyle—it can happen to anyone. While mild cases might just be bothersome, moderate to severe keratitis can cause lasting damage. Contact lens wearers face a higher risk, as do individuals with weakened immune systems or those frequently exposed to dry, dusty environments.
Spotting Keratitis Symptoms Early
Catching keratitis symptoms early can prevent serious complications like corneal scarring or permanent vision loss. In places where dry air, pollution, and contact lens use are common, the risks are higher. Recognizing the signs early gives you the best shot at effective treatment and recovery.
1. Eye Irritation
The first sign of keratitis is often irritation. It may feel like something is stuck in your eye, or like sand or grit is scratching against the surface when you blink. This discomfort can quickly escalate and shouldn’t be ignored.
2. Redness
Red eyes are your body’s alarm bell. When the cornea is inflamed or infected, the blood vessels in the eye dilate, making your eye look red or bloodshot. Redness may appear across the whole white part of the eye or just in one area.
3. Excessive Tearing
Your eyes may start watering more than usual as a defense mechanism. This reflex tearing helps flush out irritants or infection. If the tearing is constant or paired with other symptoms like pain or redness, it’s worth a closer look.
4. Blurred Vision
Any new blurriness in your vision—ghosting, halos, or general haze—can indicate swelling or damage to the cornea. If your vision doesn’t clear with blinking or eye drops, it could be a sign of keratitis, especially if it comes on suddenly.
5. Eye Pain
Pain from keratitis can range from dull aching to sharp, stabbing sensations. Some people also experience a deep discomfort behind the eye. It often worsens with blinking or light exposure and is a key sign that something serious is going on.
6. Light Sensitivity (Photophobia)
Sensitivity to light is another common symptom. Bright environments, even basic indoor lighting, can feel harsh or painful. If you find yourself seeking dark rooms or reaching for sunglasses indoors, it could be photophobia caused by keratitis.
7. Foreign Body Sensation
Many people with keratitis describe the sensation that something is in their eye. Blinking doesn’t relieve it—in fact, it may make it worse. This is typically due to foreign body sensation, or irritation and damage on the corneal surface and should be evaluated.
8. Discharge
Clear, watery discharge may point to a viral cause, while yellow or green discharge suggests a bacterial infection. If the discharge is thick, sticky, or coloured, see an eye doctor as soon as possible—it may be infectious keratitis.
Key Keratitis Risk Factors
While keratitis may present in various ways, several factors increase your risk of developing keratitis. Understanding these risk factors can help you better protect your eyes and stay one step ahead of danger. Some of these risks are due to personal behaviour or medical conditions, while others are environmental factors.
1. Contact Lens Wear
Wearing contact lenses poses one of the greatest dangers for keratitis. Many cases of microbial keratitis trace their origins to contact lens wear. Not cleaning lenses well or wearing them too long can let bacteria, fungi, or even Acanthamoeba get in and cause infection.
Not changing lenses as prescribed or storing lenses in tap water instead of disinfecting solution increases the danger too. Cleaning daily, using new solution each time, and replacing lenses on schedule as directed are all important steps that keep your eyes safe.
2. Previous Eye Injuries
Whether from a scratch, poke, or even a past surgery, any previous injury to the eye can leave it vulnerable to future infection. Fungal keratitis usually occurs following ocular trauma, particularly when soil or vegetable matter penetrate the eye.
Keep an eye out for changes, regardless of severity, after any eye injury. Even if it appears insignificant, be sure to have it checked out by an eye doctor.
3. Weakened Immune System
Those who may be immunocompromised, such as individuals with diabetes or those taking immune-suppressing medications, are at increased risk. The body’s natural defenses aren’t able to fight off germs as well, allowing infections such as keratitis to take root more easily.
Managing chronic medical conditions and informing your optometrist about them can reduce your risk.
4. Certain Medical Conditions Increase Risk
Certain medical conditions, like an autoimmune disorder, can increase the risk of keratitis symptoms.
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is considered the leading etiology of ocular surface disease (OSD). It is found in about 79% of keratitis cases linked to OSD. The use of steroid eye drops can exacerbate the risk, especially with Acanthamoeba keratitis. Annual eye exams are recommended if you struggle with any of these conditions.
5. Environmental Factors
Living in areas with dry air can leave your eyes feeling dry and more susceptible to infections. Environmental allergens such as pollen can cause eye rubbing and irritation, increasing risk. Using a humidifier and reducing exposure to allergens are two ways to safeguard your eyes.
Conclusion
Keratitis symptoms can appear suddenly and disrupt your everyday life. Whether it is from poor contact lens hygiene, corneal injury, or simply spending too much time outside during a pandemic, people around the world are suffering. Recognizing symptoms like red eyes, blurry vision, and eye pain can allow you to avoid more serious issues by seeking treatment early on.
Be vigilant regarding potential symptoms, listen to your instincts, and be proactive in seeking evaluation if something seems abnormal. If you are experiencing any keratitis symptoms in your eyes, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. D’Orio Eyecare today. Visit https://drdorioeyecare.com/book-appointment/ or call us at 416-656-2020 for our Toronto location, or 416-661-5555 for our North York location.
