Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped tissue that is found on the front of the eye and covers the pupil and iris. Keratitis is sometimes caused by an infection involving bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Non-infectious keratitis can be caused by mild injury, wearing too long contact lenses or other non-infectious diseases.

If you have redness or other symptoms of keratitis, make an appointment with your doctor. With immediate attention, mild to moderate cases of keratitis can usually be treated effectively without loss of vision. If untreated or if an infection is severe, keratitis can lead to serious complications that can permanently damage your vision.