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 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 Actually, sleeping in your contacts (or misusing them in other ways, like not cleaning them properly) can lead to corneal inflammation called keratitis as a result of reduced oxygen flow, Dr. Maszczak says. Korin Miller, SELF, 1 Nov. 2018 This means that certain bacteria have been linked to certain diseases, like Sjogren’s Syndrome or bacterial keratitis. Scientific American, 23 June 2019 See More

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 7 Dec. 2023.

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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