keratitis

noun

ker·​a·​ti·​tis ˌker-ə-ˈtī-təs How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
plural keratitides ˌker-ə-ˈti-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
: inflammation of the cornea of the eye

Examples of keratitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Company is also developing drugs against a number of viral diseases including oral and genital Herpes, viral diseases of the eye including EKC and herpes keratitis, H1N1 swine flu, H5N1 bird flu, seasonal Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis C, Rabies, Dengue fever, and Ebola virus, among others. Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2024 Those include eye infections—infection of the cornea (keratitis) and infection of tissue or fluids inside the eyeball (endophthalmitis)—to respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 2 Feb. 2023 Contact lens wearers in particular are more prone to bacterial keratitis, or an infection of the cornea caused by bacteria. Julia Landwehr, Health, 2 Nov. 2023 Shoji says this case highlights the short-term and long-term effects of Pseudomonas keratitis. Janelle Chavez, CNN, 22 Mar. 2023 After buying cat-eye lenses at a flea market, the 26-year-old man developed a severe, painful infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 30 Oct. 2019 Acanthamoeba keratitis occurs when the amoeba makes its way onto a person's cornea. NBC News, 17 July 2019 Many contact lens wearers are unaware of the risk of this infection, called Acanthamoeba keratitis. NBC News, 17 July 2019 The warning comes from a new case report in the New England Journal of Medicine, which tells the story of a woman who, after swimming in her contact lenses, developed acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection that can impair your vision. Maggie O'Neill, Health.com, 17 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keratitis.' 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

probably borrowed from French kératite, from Greek kerat-, kéras "horn" + French -ite -itis — more at kerato-

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of keratitis was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near keratitis

Cite this Entry

“Keratitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keratitis. Accessed 5 May. 2024.

Medical Definition

keratitis

noun
ker·​a·​ti·​tis ˌker-ə-ˈtīt-əs How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
plural keratitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce keratitis (audio)
: inflammation of the cornea of the eye characterized by burning or smarting, blurring of vision, and sensitiveness to light and caused by infectious or noninfectious agents

called also corneitis

compare keratoconjunctivitis

More from Merriam-Webster on keratitis

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