Parasites as a Cause of Keratitis: Need for Increased Awareness

Keratitis is painful inflammation and swelling of the cornea, the transparent domelike portion of the eyeball in front of the iris and the pupil. It can be classified by its location, severity, and cause. If keratitis only involves the surface (epithelial) layer of the cornea, it is called superficial keratitis. If it affects the deeper layers of the cornea (the corneal stroma), it is called stromal keratitis or interstitial keratitis. Often there is inflammation of both the cornea and the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the sclera. In this case, the condition is called keratoconjunctivitis.