Keratitis refers to inflammation of which ocular structure?

Keratitis refers to inflammation of which ocular structure?

• A. Cornea
• B. Iris
• C. Retina
• D. Optic nerve

Answer: (A)

Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window at the front of the eye that helps focus light and protect the inner structures. The term itself comes from kerat- meaning cornea, plus -itis indicating inflammation. When the cornea is inflamed, you often get redness, eye pain, sensitivity to light, tearing, and sometimes blurred vision, because any irregularity on this transparent surface disrupts light entering the eye. Inflammation of the iris would be called iritis, inflammation of the retina would be retinitis, and inflammation of the optic nerve would be optic neuritis, not keratitis.

Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window at the front of the eye that helps focus light and protect the inner structures. The term itself comes from kerat- meaning cornea, plus -itis indicating inflammation. When the cornea is inflamed, you often get redness, eye pain, sensitivity to light, tearing, and sometimes blurred vision, because any irregularity on this transparent surface disrupts light entering the eye. Inflammation of the iris would be called iritis, inflammation of the retina would be retinitis, and inflammation of the optic nerve would be optic neuritis, not keratitis.