{"id":9129,"date":"2019-08-16T16:17:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T16:17:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9129"},"modified":"2021-06-21T15:28:10","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T15:28:10","slug":"15-common-triggers-of-keratitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-common-triggers-of-keratitis\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Common Triggers of Keratitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If one or both of your eyes are red and irritated, painful, sensitive to light, weeping and inflamed, and if your vision is skewed, you may have keratitis. A common condition, keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the clear exterior layer of the eyeball. The cornea covers the pupil and iris and protects, and it also plays an important role insight, as it helps your eyes focus so that they can see clearly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like all other parts of the eye, the cornea can become damaged; in fact, it\u2019s more prone to damage than other parts because it\u2019s the outermost portion of the eye, and as such, it\u2019s exposed to more elements that can damage it. There are two main types of keratitis: noninfectious and infections, and there are several factors that can cause both. Below, we\u2019ll take a look at eight of the most common triggers of keratitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Injuries.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common causes of noninfectious keratitis <\/a>is an injury to the eye. There is a myriad of ways that the eye can become injured; while playing sports, for example, you may take an elbow to the eye or a ball may graze it, or while riding a bike, you may accidentally ride past a tree branch, which could scrape the eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These types of scenarios can scratch the cornea, and a scratch \u2013 even if it\u2019s minor \u2013 can lead to swelling and inflammation, or noninfectious keratitis. If you have recently sustained an injury to your eye and you are experiencing pain, swelling, redness, blurred vision, and if your eye is teary or sensitive to light, you may be suffering from keratitis. Schedule an appointment with your doctor, as the condition needs to be treated, otherwise, it can progress and cause a number of potentially severe complications.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Dry eyes.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another factor that can trigger both noninfectious and infectious keratitis is dry eyes<\/a>. In order for the eyes to function properly, they need to remain consistently moist. They naturally produce tears, which helps to cleanse out foreign objects, including dust, dirt, and debris. Sometimes, the eyes fail to self-lubricate; environmental conditions and other factors, such as lack of sleep or taking certain medications, can also contribute to dry eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter the reason, dry eyes can increase the risk of keratitis. When the eyes are dry, they are unable to flush out dust, dirt, and debris; they are also more prone to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. As a result, dry eyes can lead to the development of either noninfectious or infectious keratitis, as the cornea can become inflamed as a result of the dirt and debris or any bacteria, virus, or fungus that has entered the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Foreign objects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

 Another very common cause of keratitis is the presence of a foreign object in the eye. Eyelashes, hair, makeup, dirt, dust, and even small rocks or pieces of bark; these are just some examples of the foreign objects that can enter your eye. The eyeballs are extremely delicate, and therefore, when a foreign object makes its way inside of them, the cornea can become scratched or otherwise damaged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A scratched cornea <\/a>can become inflamed and infected, which leads to keratitis. If you have recently discovered that a foreign object has entered your eye, try flushing the object out immediately. Run clean, lukewarm water over your eye; doing so can help to expel whatever has become lodged within it and reduce your chances of developing keratitis. If, however, you are experiencing redness, irritation, pain, light sensitivity, and swelling, your cornea may be inflamed; prompt medical care is essential.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Viral infections.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Viral infections can cause infectious keratitis. There are dozens of viruses that can enter the eye, but the most common viral infection that can lead to infectious keratitis is the herpes simplex virus, or HSV. There are two main types of HSV: Type 1 is the most prevalent; it affects the face and is responsible for causing the common cold sore or fever blister<\/a>; Type 2 is the sexually transmitted form of the herpes virus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Type 2 is less common than Type 1, it\u2019s still prevalent, and though it primarily affects the genitals, it can also spread to the eye. Transmission of either type HSV to the eye can occur when an active lesion is touched, and then the eye is touched. If you have been diagnosed with either type of HSV and you are experiencing off-putting symptoms in your eye, you may have infectious keratitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Bacterial infections.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like viruses, there are several types of bacteria that can affect the eye and cause infectious keratitis. Often, individuals who wear contact lenses are affected by keratitis that spreads from bacterial infections, as the bacteria can attach to a contact, which can then enter the eye; however, individuals who do not wear contact lenses<\/a> can also develop this type of keratitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of the most common types of bacteria that cause keratitis include pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus. The former is an extremely common bacteria that can be found throughout virtually all environments. It weakens the immune system and creates an infection; it can also produce toxins that damage tissues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latter is also extremely common and is often found in the nose or on the skin; it is responsible for causing staph infections, which can become impact various parts of the body, including the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Fungal infections.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Fungus is another factor that can trigger the development of corneal inflammation. Like viruses and bacteria that can cause keratitis, there are several types of fungi that can lead to the development of keratitis. Some of the most common forms of fungus that are known to cause fungal keratitis to include fusarium, which are found in soil and on plants, aspergillus, a type of indoor and outdoor mold, and candida<\/a>, a fungus caused by yeast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If any of these funguses enter the eye, they can reproduce, which can lead to the inflammation of the cornea, which can lead to severe pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, excessive tearing, redness, itching, and all of the other symptoms that are associated with keratitis. Funguses liver throughout the natural environment, and generally, they aren\u2019t harmful; however, it has been determined that they can cause a host of health problems, including keratitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Contact lenses.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0If you wear contact lenses, you are at an increased risk of developing keratitis; this is especially true if you wear your contacts for prolonged periods of time or fail to take care of them properly. Contacts can be exposed to various types of contaminants; bacteria<\/a>, fungi, viruses, dirt, debris, dust\u2026 If any of these elements are on a contact lens and you put it into your eye, they can become trapped in the eye and damage the cornea, which can lead to the development of either noninfectious or infectious keratitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, if you wear your contacts for long periods of time, your eye is unable to flush itself properly, which means that any dirt, debris, or other contaminants that have entered your eye can get trapped inside, which can damage and inflame the cornea. Take proper care of your contacts to reduce the risk of keratitis.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Makeup.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, wearing eye makeup can also trigger the development of keratitis. There are a number of reasons why. Firstly, if you are allergic to the eye makeup you are wearing, your cornea can become inflamed, which can lead to keratitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, if you poke yourself in the eye with a mascara wand, eyeliner pencil, or any other type of applicator, your cornea can become damaged, and hence, keratitis can result. Lastly, eye makeup can become infected with bacteria, fungus<\/a>, and viruses; if they makeup you are using has been exposed to any of these toxins, they can enter your eye and damage the cornea. Use care while putting on your eye makeup, never share products with other people, and make sure that you wash applicators and replace your makeup on a regular basis to prevent the risk of damaging your eyes and developing keratitis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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