Preliminary report on adverse events of early intensive topical steroid therapy in presumed bacterial keratitis

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: News on Phaco

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 08/09/2015 | 09:30-11:00

Paper Time: 10:50

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 4

First Author: : G.Fenech UK

Co Author(s): :    P. Chiam   S. Ch'ng   V. Savant   J. Prydal     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To analyse the outcome and adverse effects of early intensive topical steroid use in the treatment of presumed bacterial keratitis.

Setting:

Ophthalmic Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK.

Methods:

Retrospective review of clinical notes for outcome and adverse events in consecutive patients who had corneal scrape performed for presumed bacterial keratitis and at least 2 hourly g.dexamethasone 0.1% preservative-free started within 3 days of presentation. Steroids were only used in cases where there was evidence of a bacterial infection, and were not used in the presence of atypical signs. The study period was from May 2009 to February 2013. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), culture results and adverse effects were recorded.

Results:

There were 39 eyes. Median age was 41-years. The median time to intensive steroid commencement was 2 days from presentation and median duration 10 days. The BCVA at presentation, day 3±1, 6±1, 14±1, month 1 and 2 were logMAR 0.78, 0.48, 0.30, 0.19, 0.18 and 0.18. The IOP on day 14±1, month 1 and 2 were 15, 16 and 15mmHg. No eyes had IOP greater than 25mmHg. The cultured bacteria were coagulase negative staphylococcus (38.5%), pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.2%) and streptococcus pneunomiae (7.7%). There was no perforation, delayed epithelial healing, infection recurrence or other adverse events documented within the first 2 months of follow-up.

Conclusions:

This preliminary report shows intensive topical steroid commenced within 3 days in presumed bacterial keratitis treatment did not cause any adverse events.

Financial Interest:

NONE