http://www.medicalook.com/Eye_diseases/Keratitis.html
Bacterial
keratitis is the infection of the eye cornea. It is one of the potential complications of contact lens use
and refractive corneal surgery. This infection is caused
by Interruption of the corneal epithelium or abnormal tear film. It is usually
caused by the virulence factors that destroy the cornea. Initially, the
epithelium and stroma undergo necrosis then neutrophils surround exacerbate the
injury and cause necrosis of the stromal lamellae. Cytokines elicits an
outpouring of inflammatory cells, which might cause a hypopyon (pus in eye). Bacterial toxins and elastase and alkaline protease enzymes may be produced,
which further contributes to the destruction of the cornea.
The most common bacteria
causing bacterial keratitis are: Pseudomonas aerugionsa, and Staphylococcus species, others such as
Enterobacteriaceae (Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, and Proteus) as well as
Streptococcus. Moreover, up to 20% of fungal keratitis cases are complicated by
bacterial co-infection.
The FDA has the following
recommendations to help the prevention of bacterial keratitis:
- Stop using any eye cosmetic that causes irritation immediately.
- Avoid using eye cosmetics if you have an eye infection or the skin around the eye is inflamed. Wait until the area is healed. Discard any eye cosmetics you were using when you got the infection.
- Wash your hands before applying eye cosmetics.
- Make sure that any instrument you place in the eye area is clean.
- Don't share your cosmetics.
- Don't allow cosmetics to become covered with dust or contaminated with dirt or soil.
- Don't use old containers of eye cosmetics.
- Discard dried-up mascara.
- Don't store cosmetics at temperatures above 85 oF.
- Never apply or remove eye cosmetics in a moving vehicle.
- Only use cosmetics intended for the eye in the eye area.
In
conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment of keratitis will help minimize the
chance of any further complications.
Keratitis is serious infection; Successful outcome is warranted through
close follow-up, attention to laboratory data, and changing antimicrobial
treatment if no clinical improvement.
I've been wearing contact lenses for a while. About four years ago, I thought I had this infection. My eye was red and swelling with tons of liquid coming out. It was difficult to keep open and the light was such a pain. However, turns out it was just irritated from sleeping in my contacts. These pictures remind me the importance of taking my contacts out at night because I would hate to have to wake up to something like this.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that bacterial keratitis was such a threatening process. I read that there was a rapid progression; corneal destruction may be complete in 24-48 hours with more virulent bacteria. I've never worn contacts because I hate when anything even comes close to my eyes, but this would be helpful information for people that do.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about getting contacts. It's a good thing I read this. Some of the other causes of bacterial keratitis include trauma to the corneal epithelium, contaminated ocular medications, contact lens solutions, or contact lens cases, decreased immunologic defenses secondary to malnutrition, alcoholism,diabetes, aqueous tear deficiencies, recent corneal disease, structural alteration or malposition of the eyelids, chronic dacryocystitis, and the use of topical corticosteroids.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been wearing contact lenses ever since I played on the soccer team. I was 14, and didn’t know how dangerous they could be to sensitive eyes like mine. Four years later, my optometrist believed I had developed conjunctivitis. I was prescribed both Patanol and Pataday, which are strong antihistamines in treating conjunctivitis. Neither of them worked. I was then prescribed a corticosteroid eyedrop which is used in treating both bacterial keratitis and conjunctivitis. This makes me wonder if I actually had bacterial keratitis. I researched another article saying keratitis can be mistaken for allergic conjunctivitis quite often.
ReplyDeleteThis is another reason why i am so glad that i dont ahve to wear contact lenses or glasses. Knwoing that this risk is out there really makes me wish and hope that i never do have to wear them. While reading on this disease i found a couple more risk factors taht were a little interesting.
ReplyDeleteContact lenses. Wearing contact lenses increases your risk of infectious and noninfections keratitis. The risk typically stems from not disinfecting lenses properly, wearing contact lenses while swimming, wearing them longer than recommended, or using water or homemade solutions to store and clean lenses. Keratitis is more common in people who use extended-wear contacts, or wear contacts continuously, than in those who use daily wear contacts and take them out at night.
Reduced immunity. If your immune system is compromised due to disease or medications (diabetes is a common disease that decreases your body’s resistance to infection), you're at higher risk of developing keratitis.
Warm climate. If you live in a warm, humid climate, your risk of keratitis is increased, particularly if plant material gets into one of your eyes. Plant material can scratch the corneal epithelium and chemicals from the plant can cause an inflammation, which may then lead to an infection.
Corticosteroids. Use of corticosteroid eyedrops to treat an eye disorder can increase your risk of developing keratitis or worsen existing keratitis.Eye injury. If one of your corneas has been damaged from an injury in the past, you may be more vulnerable to developing keratitis.
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