keratoconjunctivitis

noun

ker·​a·​to·​con·​junc·​ti·​vi·​tis ˈker-ə-(ˌ)tō-kən-ˌjəŋ(k)-tə-ˈvī-təs How to pronounce keratoconjunctivitis (audio)
: combined inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva
especially : an infectious often epidemic disease that is caused by an adenovirus (especially serotypes of species Human adenovirus B and Human adenovirus D of the genus Mastadenovirus) and is marked by pain, redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, edema of the tissues around the eye, and tenderness of the adjacent lymph nodes

Examples of keratoconjunctivitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Adenovirus types 8, 19, 37, 53, and 54 cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, an eye infection that affects the conjunctivae (the white area of the eye) and the cornea (the clear coating of the eye). Sherry Christiansen Updated, Verywell Health, 3 Aug. 2023 In the medical world, dry eye is technically called keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Korin Miller, SELF, 1 Aug. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keratoconjunctivitis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

kerato- + conjunctivitis

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keratoconjunctivitis was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near keratoconjunctivitis

Cite this Entry

“Keratoconjunctivitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keratoconjunctivitis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

keratoconjunctivitis

noun
ker·​a·​to·​con·​junc·​ti·​vi·​tis ˈker-ə-(ˌ)tō-kən-ˌjəŋ(k)-tə-ˈvīt-əs How to pronounce keratoconjunctivitis (audio)
: combined inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva

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