Keratoconjunctivitis refers to an inflammation ("itis") of the cornea and conjunctiva.

When only the cornea is inflamed, it is called keratitis; when only the conjunctiva is inflamed, it is called conjunctivitis.

There several potential causes of the inflammation:

• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is used when the inflammation is due to dryness. ("Sicca" means "dryness" in medical contexts.)
• The term "Vernal keratoconjunctivitis" (VKC) is used to refer to keratoconjunctivitis occurring in spring, and is usually considered to be due to allergens.
• "Atopic keratoconjunctivitis" is one manifestation of atopy.
• "Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis" is caused by an adenovirus infection.
• "Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis" (IBK) is a disease affecting cattle caused by the bacteria Moraxella bovis.
• "Superior limbic keratoconjuctivitis" is thought to be caused by mechanical trauma.

External links

• BC Health Guide -- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
• eMedicine -- on Atopic keratoconjunctivitis
• eMedicine -- on Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis

Ophthalmology