Posters

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of fungal keratitis in central South Korea

Poster Details

First Author: T.Kang SOUTH KOREA

Co Author(s):    W. Lee   S. Choi   J. Lee              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate the clinical characteristics, predisposing factors, microbiological profiles, and treatment outcomes of fungal keratitis in central South Korea

Setting:

Chungnam National University Hospital (tertiary care hospital)

Methods:

The medical records of 29 patients diagnosed with fungal keratitis from April 2014 to March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty five culture-proven cases and 4 KOH smear-positive cases were included.

Results:

The mean age was 64.8 years. Fourteen patients (48%) had a history of ocular trauma. Five patients (17%) had been using steroid eyedrops after herpetic stromal keratitis. Filamentous fungi accounted for 69% and bacterial infection was combined in 31% of the cases. Elevated lesion was observed in 38% and multiple granular spots were present in 7%. Antifungal therapy was implemented within 16 days and the infection was controlled in 21 patients (72%). Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 6 patients (21%) and showed no recurrence during 20 months of follow-up period for average.

Conclusions:

Fungal keratitis responded to medication without surgeries in 72% of the cases. Recent ocular trauma, steroid eyedrop use, and raised corneal lesion were characteristic features. Penetrating keratoplasty showed good outcome in controlling the fungal keratitis.

Financial Disclosure:

None