Ency. home > Disease > I > Interstitial keratitis

Interstitial keratitis   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Keratitis interstitial

Definition:

Inflammation of the connective tissue structure of the cornea (the clear window on the front of the eyeball). interstitial keratitis is a serious condition which may cause severe visual impairment. blood vessels grow into the cornea and cause loss of the normal transparency. it is caused by infectious diseases. syphilis is the most common cause, but other rare causes include leprosy and tuberculosis.

Causes and Risks

Most cases in the developed world occur in patients with fully established systemic infection with the spirochete of syphilis. Since most cases of syphilis are recognized and treated, it is not common. Interstitial keratitis is the most common cause of blindness in the world, with cases caused by trachoma and onchocerciasis (river blindness) being very common in endemic areas of Asia and Africa.

Ency. home > Disease > I > Interstitial keratitis

[an error occurred while processing this directive]