Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. The condition can be caused by infection, injury, or a foreign object in the eye. Treatment for Keratitis depends on the cause and the severity. An eye surgeon with us at Slingsby & Huot Eye Care Associates in Rapid City, SD, can treat many types of Keratitis. Learn more about the condition below. We have clinics in Rapid City, SD, Pierre, SD, Belle Fourche, SD, Spearfish, SD, and Chadron, NE, to help with your eye problems, including corneal disorders.

What Causes Keratitis?

There are a few different causes of this condition. Some of the leading causes include:

• Corneal scratches: The most common cause of Keratitis is a scratch on the cornea. This can be caused by something as simple as using your fingernails to pick out an eyelash or something not so simple as a rock hit in the eye while playing sports.
• Dirty contact lenses: Another common cause of Keratitis is using a contact lens that is not adequately cleaned and disinfected. Bacteria can easily be transferred from the lens to your eye, leading to infection.
• Viruses: Viruses such as herpes simplex can lead to Keratitis.
• Contaminated water: In addition to bacteria, dirty water can also be a source of infection. This is especially true if you are swimming in a natural body of water or also from the chemicals found in a swimming pool.

Keratitis Symptoms: What You Should Look for

There are several unpleasant symptoms of Keratitis, including:

• Redness
• Eye pain
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Extreme sensitivity to light

Treatment for Keratitis depends on the cause and the severity. Our team will help ensure you receive the best treatment possible from one of our ophthalmology professionals.

Tips for Preventing Keratitis

There are some steps you can take if you wear contact lenses. Clean your contact lenses properly and wear them for the proper amount of time. Replace them as recommended. Try not to touch your eye throughout the day. Avoid swimming in contaminated water and wear eye protection when you are playing a sport or doing an activity that could cause eye damage.

Contact Slingsby & Huot Eye Care Associates in Rapid City for Eye Surgery

At Slingsby & Huot Eye Care Associates we are here to help with any eye care needs you may have, and our ophthalmologists will work to ensure that your Keratitis is treated properly. Contact us to book an appointment. From eye surgery to routine exams, we are here to provide exceptional eye care. Call us at (605) 719-9499 for help from an eye surgeon. We have ophthalmology clinics in Rapid City, SD, Pierre, SD, Belle Fourche, SD, Spearfish, SD, and Chadron, NE, to help with your eye problems, including corneal disorders.