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What Are Keratic Precipitates (KPs)?

Keratic precipitates (KPs) are clumps of inflammatory cells that stick to the inner surface of the cornea (the corneal endothelium). They are most often seen during a slit-lamp exam in people with anterior uveitis (inflammation inside the front of the eye). KPs can vary in size and appearance, which can provide clues about the type of inflammation. Treating the underlying cause is the key to clearing them and protecting vision.

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What Are Keratic Precipitates (KPs)?

Keratic precipitates (KPs) are clumps of inflammatory cells that stick to the inner surface of the cornea (the corneal endothelium). They are most often seen during a slit-lamp exam in people with anterior uveitis (inflammation inside the front of the eye). KPs can vary in size and appearance, which can provide clues about the type of inflammation. Treating the underlying cause is the key to clearing them and protecting vision.

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What Causes Keratic Precipitates (KPs)?

KPs form when inflammation in the anterior chamber causes immune cells and proteins to circulate and deposit on the corneal endothelium.

Common underlying causes of anterior uveitis include:

  • Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (for example, HLA-B27?associated uveitis)
  • Infections (such as herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus)
  • Systemic diseases (including sarcoidosis or tuberculosis)

Your eye doctor may recommend further testing if uveitis is recurrent, severe, or atypical.

What Do Different Types of KPs Suggest?

The size and pattern of KPs can help describe the inflammation, but morphology alone rarely identifies a single exact cause.

  • Fine KPs are smaller and are often seen with non-granulomatous anterior uveitis.
  • Mutton-fat KPs are larger, greasy-looking deposits and are more typical of granulomatous inflammation.
  • KPs may settle in an inferior triangular pattern (Arlt's triangle) due to convection currents and gravity.

Old KPs can become pigmented or irregular as inflammation resolves.

How Are Keratic Precipitates Treated?

Treatment focuses on controlling the uveitis and addressing the underlying trigger.

  1. Anti-inflammatory eye drops (often corticosteroids) may be used to reduce inflammation.
  2. Cycloplegic drops can relieve pain and prevent adhesions inside the eye.
  3. If infection is suspected, targeted antiviral or antibiotic therapy may be required.

Your clinician may also monitor eye pressure, because some uveitis and some treatments can raise intraocular pressure.

When Are Keratic Precipitates a Warning Sign?

KPs are a sign of inflammation inside the eye and should be evaluated promptly, especially if you have pain, redness, light sensitivity, or blurred vision.

Urgent care is important if symptoms are sudden, severe, or accompanied by decreased vision.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them and get checked right away if you develop a painful red eye, because infections can progress quickly.

FAQs on Keratic Precipitates (KPs)

Are keratic precipitates contagious?

No. KPs are deposits from inflammation inside the eye, not an infection that spreads between people. However, some infections can trigger uveitis, so an exam is still important.

Can keratic precipitates affect vision?

They can. KPs themselves may not block vision, but the underlying uveitis can cause blurred vision, light sensitivity, and complications if untreated.

How long do keratic precipitates last?

It depends on the cause and how quickly inflammation is controlled. With effective treatment, KPs often shrink and fade over days to weeks, but recurrent uveitis may cause them to return.

When should you see an eye doctor for KPs?

See an eye doctor the same day if you have eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, or sudden blurred vision.

Follow-up is important even if symptoms improve, because uveitis can recur and may need a tailored treatment plan.

References

Acute Anterior Uveitis. EyeWiki. https://eyewiki.org/Acute_Anterior_Uveitis. Date Accessed February 2, 2026.

Sarcoid Uveitis. EyeWiki. https://eyewiki.org/Sarcoid_Uveitis. Date Accessed February 2, 2026.

Iritis. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430909/. Date Accessed February 2, 2026.

Fuchs Uveitis Syndrome. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559148/. Date Accessed February 2, 2026.

Uveitis: Anterior Uveitis. Modern Optometry. https://modernod.com/articles/2024-oct/uveitis-anterior-uveitis. Date Accessed February 2, 2026.