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Keratoconjunctivitis

AI overview

Keratoconjunctivitis is a term used to describe inflammation of both the cornea and the conjunctiva.

Key points
  • When only the cornea is inflamed, it is called keratitis; when only the conjunctiva is inflamed, it is called conjunctivitis.
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    When only the cornea is inflamed, it is called keratitis ; when only the conjunctiva is inflamed, it is called conjunctivitis
  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is inflammation due to dryness and occurs with 20% of rheumatoid arthritis patients.
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    Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is used when the inflammation is due to dryness. ("Sicca" means "dryness" in medical contexts.) It occurs with 20% of rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  • Vernal keratoconjunctivitis occurs in spring and is usually considered to be due to allergens.
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    The term " vernal keratoconjunctivitis " (VKC) is used to refer to keratoconjunctivitis occurring in spring , and is usually considered to be due to allergens
  • Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, also known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, is caused by an adenovirus infection.
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    Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis , also known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, is caused by an adenovirus infection
  • Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis is caused by a delayed (type-IV) hypersensitivity reaction to one or more antigens.
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    Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis is an inflammatory syndrome caused by a delayed (aka type-IV) hypersensitivity reaction to one or more antigens
  • Keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica (arc eye) is inflammation caused by photoelectric UV light.
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    "Keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica" ( arc eye ) means inflammation caused by photoelectric UV light
  • Viral keratoconjunctivitis is frequently caused by viral infections, with herpes simplex virus being a particularly common cause.
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    Keratoconjunctivitis is frequently caused by viral infections in and around the eyes. A particularly common cause of this is the herpes simplex virus
Symptoms
  • In keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica, inflammation appears after about 6 to 12 hours following UV exposure.
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    The inflammation will only appear after about 6 to 12 hours
  • Chronic viral keratoconjunctivitis can cause corneas to become progressively more opaque, leading to blindness.
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    Over time, these can result in the corneas becoming progressively more opaque, leading to blindness
Treatment
  • Keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica can be treated by rest, with inflammation usually healing after 24–48 hours.
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    It can be treated by rest, as the inflammation usually heals after 24–48 hours
  • Proper eye protection should be worn to prevent keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica.
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    Proper eye protection should be worn to prevent keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica
Red flags
  • Chronic viral keratoconjunctivitis may lead to blindness due to progressive corneal opacity.
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    Over time, these can result in the corneas becoming progressively more opaque, leading to blindness
Prognosis

Keratoconjunctivitis photoelectrica usually heals after 24–48 hours; chronic viral infection can lead to progressive corneal opacity and blindness.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Keratoconjunctivitis”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Keratoconjunctivitis
SpecialtyOphthalmology

Keratoconjunctivitis is a term used to describe inflammation of both the cornea (the clear, front part of the eye) and the conjunctiva (the thin, transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and lining the inside of the eyelids). This condition can have various causes, and its presentation may vary depending on the underlying factors.

When only the cornea is inflamed, it is called keratitis; when only the conjunctiva is inflamed, it is called conjunctivitis.


There are several potential causes of the inflammation:

Viral keratoconjunctivitis

Keratoconjunctivitis is frequently caused by viral infections in and around the eyes. A particularly common cause of this is the herpes simplex virus. In some people, the infection may become chronic and keratoconjunctivitis may present during flare-ups of variable frequency. Over time, these can result in the corneas becoming progressively more opaque, leading to blindness.[2]

  1. "Merck Veterinary Manual". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
  2. Riedel, Stefan (2019). "Chapter 33: Herpesviruses". Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology (28th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.