Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea – the clear dome-shaped tissue on the front of your eye that covers the pupil and iris.
There are two types: Infectious keratitis can be caused by bacteria and viruses, while the non-infectious type may be due to an injury or disease.
Wearing contact lenses can lead to keratitis if you wear them for too long, if they’re not cleaned properly or if they are worn swimming.
The symptoms are likely to include pain, redness of the eye, difficulty opening your eyelid, blurred vision or a sensitivity to light.
If the inflammation is not treated, it can lead to complications such as repeated infections, open sores, swelling and scarring of the cornea, and sometimes blindness.
Treatment includes topical medications, antibacterial eyedrops and antibiotics.
Preventing it is often a matter of taking care of your contact lenses, using recommended products and removing them at night or when you go for a swim.
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