Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the outermost part of the eye. It is usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, the same virus that causes cold sores. The infection usually begins by affecting the outer layer of the cornea, but it can go deeper into the cornea, increasing the risk of impaired vision. Other viruses that cause keratitis include varicella zoster (also a herpes virus), which is associated with chickenpox and shingles, and the adenoviruses, which cause upper respiratory infections. More rarely, keratitis is caused by other infections, such as bacteria, parasites and fungi.
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