Incidence and clinical characteristics of fungal keratitis in a Danish population from 2000 to 2013

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.

Keywords: culture; epidemiology; fungal keratitis; fungus.