Interstitial Keratitis Overview
Learn About Interstitial Keratitis
Interstitial keratitis is inflammation of the tissue of the cornea, the clear window on the front of the eye. This condition can lead to vision loss.
Keratitis interstitial; Cornea - keratitis
Interstitial keratitis is a serious condition in which blood vessels grow into the cornea. Such growth can cause loss of the normal clearness of the cornea. This condition is often caused by infections.
Syphilis is the most common cause of interstitial keratitis, but rare causes include:
- Autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis
- Leprosy
- Lyme disease
- Tuberculosis
In the United States, most cases of syphilis are recognized and treated before this eye condition develops.
However, interstitial keratitis accounts for 10% of avoidable blindness in the least developed countries worldwide.
Symptoms may include:
- Eye pain
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
The underlying disease must be treated. Treating the cornea with corticosteroid drops may minimize scarring and help keep the cornea clear.
Once the active inflammation has passed, the cornea may be left severely scarred and with abnormal blood vessels. The only way to restore vision at this stage is with a cornea transplant.
Namrata Sharma practices in New Delhi, India. Ms. Sharma and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Interstitial Keratitis. Her top areas of expertise are Interstitial Keratitis, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, Corneal Transplant, and Cataract Removal.
University Of Miami
Guillermo Amescua is an Ophthalmologist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Amescua and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Interstitial Keratitis. His top areas of expertise are Interstitial Keratitis, Amebiasis, Scleritis, Corneal Transplant, and Vitrectomy. Dr. Amescua is currently accepting new patients.
Pratt Ophthalmology Associates Inc
Pedram Hamrah is an Ophthalmologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Hamrah and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Interstitial Keratitis. His top areas of expertise are Interstitial Keratitis, Neurotrophic Keratitis, Dry Eye Syndrome, Blepharitis, and Corneal Transplant. Dr. Hamrah is currently accepting new patients.
Diagnosing and treating interstitial keratitis and its cause early can preserve the clear cornea and good vision.
A corneal transplant is not as successful for interstitial keratitis as it is for most other corneal diseases. The presence of blood vessels in the diseased cornea brings white blood cells to the newly transplanted cornea and increases the risk of rejection.
People with interstitial keratitis need to be followed closely by an ophthalmologist and a medical specialist with knowledge of the underlying disease.
A person with the condition should be checked immediately if:
- Pain gets worse
- Redness increases
- Vision decreases
This is particularly crucial for people with corneal transplants.
Prevention consists of avoiding the infection that causes interstitial keratitis. If you do get infected, get prompt and thorough treatment and follow-up.
Summary: Currently, the incidence of involutional and chronic eyelid disorders, such as ectropion, has been increasing, as human life expectancy has risen worldwide (more than 600 million people are aged ≥ 60 years). Ectropion is a common eyelid malposition that causes visual morbidity. It is characterized by eversion of the eyelid margin and has multiple etiologies. Steri-Strip tapes have been used in som...
Summary: The Sponsor is developing KB801, a replication-defective, non-integrating herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-derived vector engineered to deliver functional full-length human nerve growth factor (NGF) to the corneas of people with Stage 2 or 3 neurotrophic keratitis (NK) via topical application. This is a Phase 1/2, multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tole...
Published Date: July 09, 2024
Published By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Gauthier A-S, Noureddine S, Delbosc B. Interstitial keratitis diagnosis and treatment. J Fr Ophtalmol. 2019;42(6):e229-e237. PMID: 31103357 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31103357/.
Starnes TW, Vasaiwala RA, Bouchard CS. Noninfectious keratitis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 4.17.
World Health Organization website. Eye care, vision impairment and blindness. www.who.int/health-topics/blindness-and-vision-loss#tab=tab_1. Accessed August 9, 2024.