Overview
Keratitis is the medical name for inflammation of the cornea, the clear window that covers the iris and the pupil in your eye. Keratitis may cause a corneal ulcer.
Keratitis can be divided into two categories based on cause: infectious keratitis or noninfectious keratitis. Some people call infectious keratitis “microbial” keratitis.
Early signs and symptoms of keratitis include eye pain and redness. If you think you may have keratitis, you should see a healthcare provider immediately. Damage to your eyes from the disease can result in vision loss. Worldwide, keratitis causes most cases of corneal blindness.
How common is keratitis?
Keratitis is a common condition that can be treated. However, outside of the U.S. and other developed countries, infectious keratitis is a significant cause of blindness. Some of the infections that cause keratitis can be transferred from person to person by touching contaminated items, coughs or sneezes.
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Symptoms
Complications
Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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