How can you tell the difference between keratitis and conjunctivitis?
How can you tell the difference between keratitis and conjunctivitis?
How can you tell the difference between keratitis and conjunctivitis?
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, the clear dome that covers the iris and the pupil. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva. That’s the thin membrane over the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis is also known as pink eye.
What is the difference between pink eye and bacterial conjunctivitis?
There are several types of pink eye, including viral and bacterial: Viral pink eye is caused by viruses like adenovirus and herpes virus. It usually clears up without treatment in 7 to 14 days. Bacterial pink eye is caused by an infection with bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumonia.
What can be mistaken for conjunctivitis?
Don’t assume that all red, irritated, or swollen eyes are pinkeye (viral conjunctivitis). Your symptoms could also be caused by seasonal allergies, a sty, iritis, chalazion (an inflammation of the gland along the eyelid), or blepharitis (an inflammation or infection of the skin along the eyelid).
What is bacterial keratitis?
Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea (the clear dome covering the colored part of the eye) that is caused by bacteria. It can affect contact lens wearers, and also sometimes people who do not wear contact lenses. Types of bacteria that commonly cause bacterial keratitis include: Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
How long can keratitis last?
If your keratitis is caused by an injury, it usually clears up on its own as your eye heals. You may get an antibiotic ointment to help with symptoms and prevent infection. Infections are treated with prescription eye drops and sometimes antibiotics or antiviral medicine.
Is viral or bacterial conjunctivitis more contagious?
Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are both highly contagious, and you may be contagious for up to two weeks after symptoms first appear. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. Most cases of pink eye are viral or bacterial, and can occur with other infections.
How easily is conjunctivitis spread?
Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Most viruses that cause conjunctivitis spread through hand-to-eye contact by hands or objects that are contaminated with the infectious virus. Having contact with infectious tears, eye discharge, fecal matter, or respiratory discharges can contaminate hands.
What is the most common cause of bacterial keratitis?
Eighty percent of bacterial corneal ulcers are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas species. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequent and the most pathogenic ocular pathogen which can cause corneal perforation in just 72 hours.