Keratoconjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye that affects the conjunctiva and cornea, causing symptoms such as redness of the eyes, sensitivity to light and feeling of sand in the eye.
This type of inflammation is most common by infection by bacteria or viruses, especially adenovirus, but it can also occur from dry eye, called dry eye, called dry keratoconjunctivitis.
- Treatment varies depending on the cause and therefore it is ideal to consult an ophthalmologist when changes appear in the eye.
- Not only to confirm the diagnosis.
- But also to initiate the most appropriate treatment.
- Which may include antibiotic eye drops or moisturizing eye drops.
Although there are 2 main types of keratoconjunctivitis, in most cases the symptoms are quite similar, including:
In case of keratoconjunctivitis by viruses or bacteria, thick, viscous swelling is also common.
Symptoms often get worse when you work on the computer, perform an activity in a windy environment, or visit places with a lot of smoke or dust.
Diagnosis is usually made by the ophthalmologist when evaluating symptoms, however, your doctor may also use other tests to try to identify the correct cause of keratoconjunctivitis, especially if treatment has already begun, but symptoms do not improve.
Most of the time, keratoconjunctivitis develops due to an infection with a virus or bacteria.Some of the most common include:
The most common infection occurs with a certain type of adenovirus, but it can also occur with any of the other organisms; however, other organisms cause more serious infections, which can develop very quickly and eventually cause sequelae such as blindness. Eye infection is suspected, it is very important to go quickly to the ophthalmologist, to start treatment quickly.
In rarer cases, keratoconjunctivitis can also result from dry eye, when there is a physiological change that causes the eye to produce fewer tears; in such cases, the inflammation is called keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Treatment of keratoconjunctivitis is usually initiated with the use of moisturizing eye drops, such as Lacrima Plus, Lacril or Dunason, and antihistamine eye drops or corticosteroids, such as Decadron, which provide significant relief from redness and all symptoms associated with inflammation of the eye…
However, if keratoconjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, the ophthalmologist may also recommend the use of antibiotic eye drops, to fight infection, as well as relieve symptoms with other eye drops.
When treatment does not start quickly, inflammation of the eye can lead to complications such as ulceration, corneal healing, retinal detachment, increased susceptibility to cataracts and vision loss within 6 months.