Fungal Keratitis following the Application of Green Tea Bag Warm Compresses.

INTRODUCTION

This case presents the development of severe fungal keratitis sourced from a green tea bag used as an ocular warm compress.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old healthy patient developed a deep stromal fungal keratitis in his left eye 2 weeks after utilizing a green tea bag as a warm compress to improve meibomian gland dysfunction that ruptured over his eye. Treatment of infection included topical and intrastromal injections of voriconazole. Topical treatment was maintained after hospital discharge for 10 months. Follow-ups were continued until the complete resolution of active infection. Final corrected visual acuity was 0.7 (LogMAR, 0.3 pinhole), and there was residual corneal scarring.

CONCLUSION

Warm compresses are a first-line treatment for meibomian gland disorders. Although application of warm tea bags over the eyelids appears to be an economical and accessible option, this method should be carefully considered due to the risk of fungal keratitis development.