Clinical Features, Risk Factors, and Management of Candida Keratitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the clinical features, predisposing factors, and management of infectious keratitis caused by Candida spp.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

The medical records of 52 patients (54 eyes) with Candida keratitis were available for statistical analysis. Thinning of the corneal stroma was identified in 34 eyes (63.0%), and corneal perforation occurred in 16 eyes (29.6%). Corneal thinning and perforation were more common in Candida albicans compared with non-albicans (P-val < .001, P = .09, respectively). The most common predisposing factors for Candida keratitis were topical steroid use (21 patients, 40.4%), previous corneal transplantation (17 patients, 32.7%), and preexisting ocular surface disease (15 patients, 28.8%). Fourteen eyes (25.9%) required cyanoacrylate glue application and 10 eyes (18.5%) underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK).

CONCLUSION

Local immunosuppression and ocular surface disease play an important role in Candida keratitis. C. albicans appears to be more invasive compared with non-albicans spp.