Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

keratin
A protein found in the upper layer of the
skin, hair, and nails, and in animal horns.
keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea. Keratitis
can occur due to abrasion trauma, infection, or
underlying diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome and
lupus. Keratitis can lead to blindness.
keratitis, rosacea
Inflammation of the cornea of
the eye that affects about half of all people with
rosacea. Symptoms include burning and grittiness
of the eyes (conjunctivitis). If rosacea keratitis is
not treated with medication to stop the inflamma-
tion, the damage to the cornea may impair vision.
See also 
rosacea.
keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome
An
inherited disorder that is characterized by keratitis
(gradual destruction of the cornea of the eye, some-
times leading to blindness), ichthyosis (localized
areas of disfiguring reddish thickened skin), and
deafness from birth. Abbreviated KID syndrome.
Another characteristic feature of KID syndrome is
thin or absent scalp hair. Some patients develop
cancer of the tongue, and some have subtle abnor-
malities of the nervous system. KID syndrome is
inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is
usually due to mutation in the connexin-26 gene
(located on chromosome 13).
keratectomy
232
kerato- 1
Prefix referring to the cornea, as in
keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) and kerato-
plasty (corneal transplant).
2
Prefix referring to
the nails, hair, or skin tissue, as in keratin (a pro-
tein found in the upper layer of the skin, hair, and
nails, and in animal horns) and keratosis (a local-
ized horny overgrowth of the skin).
keratoconjunctivitis
Inflammation of the eye
that involves both the cornea and conjunctiva.
Keratoconjunctivitis can occur due to abrasion
trauma, infection, and underlying diseases such as
Sjogren’s syndrome and lupus.
keratoconus
A cone-shaped cornea, with the
apex of the cone being forward. Keratoconus causes
distorted vision. Also known as conical cornea.
Treatment of keratoconus depends on the severity of
the condition. Treatment options include eyeglasses,
rigid contact lenses, and corneal transplantation,
and combinations of these.