Abstract
PURPOSE: Fungal keratitis is a severe sight-threatening condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of fungal keratitis patients living in a temperate climate.
METHODS: By reviewing medical records from 2000 to July 2013, patients with fungal keratitis were identified. Risk factors, clinical signs and outcome were registered.
RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified: 52% with Candida, 20% with Fusarium, 16% with Aspergillus and 12% with mixed filamentous fungi. A minimum incidence of fungal keratitis of 0.6 cases per million per year was estimated. Prior topical steroid treatment was commonly found in our cases (44%). Trauma including contact lens wear was associated with infection with filamentous fungi, whereas in patients with Candida infection, ocular surface disease was a prominent feature. Median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 24 days. Only a few patients exhibited classical clinical features such as endothelial plaques (28%), satellite lesions (24%) and feathery edges (16%). The final visual outcome was poor with an average best-corrected logMAR of (mean, 95% CI) 0.70 (0.4-1.0). A total of 52% were treated with corneal transplantation. Patients with Candida infections had a significantly worse visual outcome.
CONCLUSION: We found that patients with fungal keratitis had a poor visual outcome. However, knowledge of risk factors and clinical signs leading to early treatment can improve the prognosis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Acta Ophthalmologica |
| Volume | 93 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 54-58 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISSN | 1755-375X |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2015 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antifungal Agents
- Aspergillus
- Candida
- Corneal Transplantation
- Corneal Ulcer
- Denmark
- Eye Enucleation
- Eye Infections, Fungal
- Female
- Fusarium
- Humans
- Incidence
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mycoses
- Risk Factors
- Young Adult