What is a serious complication of keratitis?

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea that can lead to significant complications if not properly managed. One of the most serious complications of keratitis is corneal scarring and swelling. This occurs due to the inflammation disrupting the normal structure and function of the cornea, which can result in scarring that affects vision.

When the cornea becomes scarred, it can lead to visual impairment or even blindness in severe cases. Swelling, known as edema, can further exacerbate vision problems by distorting the clarity of the cornea. Proper and timely treatment of keratitis is crucial to prevent these serious outcomes.

Other options might relate to conditions or scenarios that can arise from keratitis but do not reflect the serious nature of complications as clearly as corneal scarring and swelling do. For instance, chronic conjunctivitis and decreased eye sensitivity may relate to eye health, but they are not direct, severe complications stemming specifically from keratitis. Similarly, a completely healed cornea would indicate successful resolution of keratitis and would not identify a complication. Thus, the significant risk of scarring and swelling makes it the most serious complication associated with keratitis.