Keratitis is an eye disease that causes inflammation of the cornea. At this point, visual acuity decreases due to opacities. This disease can develop on both sides or on one side. If you carry out early treatment of keratitis, then most often the disease is cured.
Definition
Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea of the eye, in which there is tearing, blepharospasm and photophobia. This disease most often has an infectious or traumatic nature, the causative agent of which is staphylococci, streptococci, tuberculosis, influenza, herpes. This is a rather complex eye disease, in which it is difficult to predict the outcome. Quite often it ends with a deterioration in vision due to the formation of corneal opacity.
Types
It is customary to distinguish two variants of this disease:
- Surface. It is characterized by damage to the upper layer of the cornea. Very often it occurs due to previous conjunctivitis, inflammation of the eyelids and the formation of problems in the lacrimal sac. Treatment of this type of keratitis is not very difficult, since the epithelium is affected in the process of superficial disease.of the cornea, which is often capable of self-regeneration, as a result, scars do not remain. For this type of ailment, it is enough to drop the eyes with "Sulfacyl".
- Deep. With this type, the inner layer of the cornea is affected, the stroma in this keratitis very often creates scars and clouding. It should be noted that when such seals form on the visual axis, vision problems very often appear. In order to prevent this outcome, anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the treatment of keratitis in adults, presented in the form of ointments and drops, such as Dexamethasone and Diclofenac.
Types and causes of appearances
Based on the characteristics of the course of keratitis, the following main varieties can be named. Allocate fungal, bacterial, viral, herpetic, neuroparalytic, filamentous, onchocerciasis, photokeratitis and others. The main reasons include diseases of various viruses:
- At the time of adenovirus infection, adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is formed.
- The herpetic species begins to activate with a decrease in immunity at the time of the presence of the herpes virus.
- Bacterial can form due to damage to the cornea by various bacteria. Often occurs due to infection in cracks after injury, as well as poor hygiene at the time of using contact lenses.
- Fungal forms begin with the defeat of parasitic fungi, they provoke severe reddening of the eyes. Often develop with reduced immunity andalso antibiotic therapy.
- Onchocercal keratitis begins at the time of an allergic reaction, accompanied by swelling of the conjunctiva and redness of the membrane.
- After an injury to the surface of the eye, a creeping ulcer may appear.
- Photokeratitis begins to form at the time of the burn of the cornea and conjunctiva. This ailment is formed due to prolonged exposure to the bright sun, as well as due to violation of safety rules during the welding period.
Keratitis symptoms
Treatment and prevention of this disease is very important, as various complications are possible depending on the symptoms:
- Quite often, the primary symptoms are pain and fear of light.
- Sometimes factors include the feeling of a foreign substance in the eye with further redness.
- Sometimes there may be a sudden closing of the eyelids - blepharospasm due to a malfunction of the trigeminal nerve.
- With any manifestations of the disease, the cornea becomes cloudy. When the inflammatory process is formed on the surface, then this phenomenon can pass. With deep configurations, visual acuity decreases and a thorn is formed. This manifestation can have different parameters, shades of white, pink, yellow or gray.
Diagnosis
The doctor establishes an accurate diagnosis only when examining the patient. Patients often need to wear sunglasses. Initially, it is required to collect a complete history, the doctor asks the patient about early injuries and concomitant ailments. Then an external examination of the eyeballs will be carried out.and the main zone, as well as an assessment of the reflex and fundus.
When there is a suspicion of endogenous nature, the patient is examined for pathologies such as syphilis and tuberculosis. In order to determine the causative agent of the disease, it is required to undergo a culture analysis, as well as microscopy of scrapings. Another of the doctor's tasks is to check the structure of the anterior eye chamber, the relief and volume of the lesion using a biopsy.
Treatment of different types of keratitis
Therapy is carried out only in stationary conditions, especially in purulent and acute stages. After the etiology has been identified, the main ailments are initially treated. To reduce pain and inflammation, Atropine drops are used to treat keratitis 4-6 times a day. And at night, 1% atropine ointment is applied. If this component is not perceived by a person, then a 0.25% solution of Scopolamine Hydrobromide is used instead.
In the treatment of keratitis, in which there are corneal ulcers, "Monomycin", "Kanamycin" or "Neomycin" is used, which must be injected under the conjunctiva at a dosage of 10,000-25,000 IU. And also in the same doses you can introduce "Lincomycin".
If the effectiveness of treatment is low, then the mandatory administration of antibiotics is prescribed: "Oletetrin", "Erythromycin" or "Tetracycline".
In order to expand the pupil, a cotton swab with a 0.1% solution of Adrenaline Hydrochloride is placed under the lower eyelid.
Treatment of keratitis in humansis not the same, depending on its shape, so you need to know the features:
- In case of ailments accompanied by non-closure of the palpebral fissure, daily installations of almond oil, chloramphenicol and tetracycline ointment should be carried out.
- If a patient is ill with meibomian keratitis, the systematic therapy of chronic meibolitis plays a decisive role. To do this, the eyelids are massaged with the removal of the secretion of the glands, and the edges are processed with brilliant green.
- In the treatment of viral keratitis, in addition to the use of antiviral agents, it is also recommended to apply tetracycline ointment.
- To reduce pain in neuropalitic keratitis, 1% "Quinine hydrochloride" is injected along with a solution of "Morphine". It is also recommended to take 0.25 grams of "Amidopirine" and "Analgin" inside, as well as applying a bandage.
- Symptomatic treatment is required for filamentous keratitis. For this, fish oil or vaseline ointment and special drops are inserted. It is necessary to irrigate the eyelids several times a day with 5% sodium chloride solution and drink a complex of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, B12, PP and C).
Surgical treatment (optical iridectomy and keratoplasty) is prescribed for certain indications. If the therapy is chosen correctly and in a timely manner, then all superficial infiltrates resolve on their own.
Compresses
Folk treatment of keratitis is quite common, useful herbal compresses can be attributed to one of the types. They are used to treat various ophthalmic diseases:
- Calendula ice cubes. In 250 ml of water, add 3-4 tbsp. l. calendula and boil over low heat for 10 minutes, strain and pour into an ice mold. After cooking, the area around the eyes and eyelids is massaged with a cube.
- Compress of flaxseed, eyebright and chamomile. All components are mixed in equal proportions. The mixture is boiled in 200 ml of water and cooled. Cotton pads are moistened with this liquid and applied to the eyes for 20 minutes.
- For the treatment of keratitis, a photo of which can be seen below, a compress of chamomile and honey is used. A small amount of flowers is boiled over medium heat, decanted and cooled. Next, you will need to add a little honey to the broth. A cotton pad is sent to a warm broth, which is then applied to the eyes for 15 minutes.
- To prepare a dill compress, its seeds are crushed and boiled in 100 ml of water. After cooling in the decoction, discs are moistened and applied to the eyes for 10 minutes.
- To prepare lotions from yolk, milk and potatoes, the last ingredient is boiled in the skin and kneaded with a fork. Then the yolk and hot milk are sent there, everything is mixed to a mushy state. The prepared mass is placed on a small piece of tissue and applied to closed eyes. Perform 3 times a day for 15-20 minutes.
Baths
For the treatment of keratitis, this procedure is very often used:
- You need to mix dill seeds, plantain, eyebright and pour boiling water over everything, wait 5 minutes, and thenstrain. This liquid is poured over the eyelids 4-5 times a day.
- To prepare a bath based on raspberry leaves, pour a small amount of them into 250 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 15 minutes, and then strain. The eyes are washed with a cold drink 2 times a day.
- For the treatment of symptoms of keratitis in humans and animals, a dill-based steam bath is often used. The crushed seeds are boiled in 1 liter of water, and then you need to bend over the pan and cover your head with a towel, remaining in this position for 10-15 minutes. Since it is not very convenient for animals to carry out this procedure, it is enough for them to wash their eyes with this solution (the more often, the better).
- Herbal steam bath. To do this, you need to mix equal proportions of eyebright, chamomile flowers, valerian root and elderberry. This mixture is briefly boiled over low heat in white wine, and then for 15 minutes you need to soar your eyes under a blanket.
Herbs
For any ophthalmic ailments (and in particular - keratitis), herbs can cure these ailments:
- Decoction of eyebright is the most effective remedy in the treatment of eye diseases. A small amount of grass needs to be sent to 1 liter of water, boil a little and let cool. Many people use this decoction as a compress and for washing. It works best when taken internally. And also there you can add a small amount of chamomile flowers.
- WhenIn the treatment of herpetic keratitis, a collection is often used, which is based on chamomile, eyebright and dill. To do this, all components must be taken in the amount of 2 tbsp. l., pour 250 ml of water and boil a little, about 10 minutes. Next, the liquid is covered with a lid and cooled to body temperature. Then half a teaspoon of arnica tincture is sent there. This decoction is recommended for washing and compresses, as well as taking this tea inside together with the procedures.
- The use of horsetail infusion is recommended to strengthen the body. Some recipes call for a sitz bath of strong horsetail broth. For cooking, you need 3 tbsp. l. send the masses to 3 liters of water and boil, and then carry out steam baths for 15 minutes. To this, it is recommended to use tea from equal parts of echinacea, eyebright, horsetail and colored calendula.
- Decoction based on eyebright, wormwood and aloe. All leaves are mixed in equal parts of 2 tbsp. l., and after this mixture is brought to a boil in 0.5 liters of water. This decoction must be left under the lid so that it is infused. With this tea, you can both wash your eyes and use it inside, only in a small amount.
- To prepare a prefabricated broth, you need to add blueberry leaves, walnut flowers and chamomile to the eyebright medicinal. Then everything is crushed, and the mass is used as the preparation of ordinary tea, which is required to be consumed 2-3 times a day. From this mixture, you can also prepare a decoction for compresses and washing, while the entire amount of grassused twice as much.
- Infusion of calamus, heather, celandine and chamomile. For cooking, you need to take each component in the amount of 1 tsp. Everything is poured with 1 liter of water and boiled. Brewed tea is drunk for a short time, maximum 4 days.
Keratitis in dogs
This disease manifests itself in the form of inflammation of the eye cornea, associated with a violation of specularity, brilliance and transparency. Among dogs, this disease is very common. In the animal, it causes discomfort and lowers the quality of life of the pet, as well as dangerous complications.
Depending on the symptoms, treatment and recovery are prescribed exclusively by veterinarians. And also the recommendation depends on the depth of the cornea lesion and often includes several components:
- broad-spectrum sulfonamides and antibacterials;
- antiviral components (interferon, as well as its stimulants, various types of acyclovir) when the herpetic form is present;
- drugs against allergies - for general and local action;
- diet therapy;
- vitamin-mineral complex.
For the treatment of keratitis in a dog, various eye drops, ointments, as well as injections under the postorbital space or conjunctiva are used. Tablets and intramuscular (or subcutaneous) administration of drugs are used inside.
Keratitis in cats
This disease appears due to inflammation of the cornea. Often suchthe problem is not considered a congenital pathology, but is acquired.
In the superficial course of the disease, a solution of levomycetin in drops is prescribed, which must be combined with injections of "Hydrocortisone", "Novocaine" and "Prednisolone". The time interval between injections is 5 days. Antibiotic ointment is used several times a day.
For the treatment of vascular keratitis in cats, Lidaza injections and tissue therapy are needed. And also a course of "Peloid distillate" is prescribed for 25 days.
The manifestation of purulent keratitis with ulcers on the cornea is considered the most difficult case when broad-spectrum antibiotics are needed, which are injected into the body intramuscularly. In the form of ointments, "Erythromycin", "Dibiomycin", "Kanamycin" are used.
Rarely enough, but still, injections are made directly into the fiber. To do this, the animal must first be put into a sleepy state. During surgery, the affected areas are removed and stitches are applied.
