Is it normal for keratitis to occur every year?

Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Keratitis is a common ophthalmic disease, occurring as an infection in the black eyeball area of the eye. Recurrent viral keratitis is a normal phenomenon, as the virus can remain dormant within the corneal nerve fibers even after recovery. Triggers such as fatigue, colds, or weakened immunity can cause the virus to replicate again, leading to a recurrence of keratitis. Symptoms include eye congestion, redness, stinging, foreign body sensation, photophobia, tearing, and decreased vision. Doctors use a slit-lamp microscope to observe the cornea, where dendritic or map-like lesions can be seen. Treatment involves using antiviral eye drops to alleviate symptoms, such as acyclovir eye drops, ganciclovir eye drops, and interferon eye drops. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can you smoke during keratitis?

During the period of keratitis, it is best not to smoke. Although smoking does not directly affect the factors of corneal healing, it can indirectly affect the healing of keratitis. If keratitis is not actively treated, or if the condition progresses or is not well controlled, it can easily lead to corneal opacity, spots, and leukoplakia. Additionally, it can lead to the formation of corneal ulcers and corneal perforation, causing severe visual impairment and even leading to blindness. Therefore, keratitis can be either mild or severe, and it should not be ignored in treatment. Active treatment and regular check-ups generally lead to recovery.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Can chronic keratitis cause blindness?

Chronic bacterial conjunctivitis generally does not cause blindness. Its main clinical symptoms include itching, burning, dryness, eye pain, and visual fatigue. The conjunctiva is mildly congested and may be accompanied by thickening of the palpebral conjunctiva, papillary hypertrophy, and mucous secretions. Moraxella can cause canthal conjunctivitis, which is accompanied by crusting and ulceration of the skin at the outer canthus, and hypertrophy of the palpebral conjunctiva's papillae and follicles. Staphylococcus aureus infections are often accompanied by ulcerative blepharitis, or peripheral corneal punctate infiltration.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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How long is the general recovery period for keratitis?

The recovery time for blurry vision caused by keratitis can vary, as keratitis can range from mild to severe. Mild cases may recover within 3-5 days, but severe cases, if complications like corneal nebula, macula, leukoma, corneal ulcers, or corneal perforation occur, may lead to difficult or impossible vision recovery, or even blindness. Therefore, it is important to take keratitis seriously in treatment. Active and diligent treatment should not be neglected. Normally, do not apply heat, maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, use eye drops and ointments as prescribed, attend regular check-ups, and monitor vision status.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Keratitis can be divided into several stages according to pathological changes.

Keratitis can be divided into four stages according to pathological changes: the infiltration stage, the ulceration stage, the ulcer recession stage, and the healing stage. The condition of the cornea differs at each stage, and treatment must be administered accordingly. Treatments include anti-inflammatory eye drops, antiviral eye drops, and eye ointment therapy. When necessary, treatment can involve the use of a corneal bandage contact lens. If it reaches the healing stage, such as when scars form in the anterior elastic layer and the stromal layer, resulting in corneal opacity, nebula, and leukoma, this can affect vision and regular follow-ups may be required.

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Written by Shi Ji Peng
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of neonatal keratitis

After a newborn develops keratitis, symptoms such as eye discomfort, tearing, increased tear secretion, and congestion may occur. If the cornea is infected due to disease or trauma, the inflammation of the cornea will inevitably affect the vision to varying degrees, especially if the inflammation invades the pupil area, which is more severe. After the ulcer heals, the resulting corneal scar not only obstructs the entry of light into the eye but also causes changes in the curvature and refractive index of the corneal surface, affecting vision. Generally, for newborns, the symptoms are caused by non-severe illnesses, so they are usually mild, mostly involving tearing or even secretion. In such cases, eye medications should be used early for treatment. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)