Keratitis and Keratoconjunctivitis

Inflammation of the cornea, either alone (keratitis) or in combination with conjunctivitis (keratoconjunctivitis), is distinguished by symptoms of pain, photophobia and reduction in visual acuity. Examination may show localised opacification of the cornea but more typically, it shows fluorescein staining from corneal ulceration in a punctuate, rounded or branching (dendritic) pattern. The dendritic pattern is specifically seen in herpes simplex keratitis.

Bacterial keratitis is rare and is more common in contact lens wearers where Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most frequent causative organisms [11].

All patients with keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis or corneal ulcer must be reviewed by an ophthalmologist for further investigation, treatment and follow-up.