A 5-year retrospective review of fungal keratitis in the region of Cap Bon.

INTRODUCTION: Microbial keratitis is a serious ocular infection and a leading cause of morbidity and blindness worldwide. METHODS: A retrospective review of the charts of 30 patients (30 eyes) diagnosed with presumed or culture-proven fungal keratitis among 100 patients with infectious keratitis. All patients initially received hourly 0.5% Amphotericin B eye drops. Systemic antifungal agents consisted mainly of oral Fluconazole. After treatment, a healing time of less than 3 weeks from presentation was considered a good result. Mean follow up was 10.4 months. RESULTS: Risk factors for fungal keratitis included ocular trauma in 13 patients (43.3%). Stromal infiltration was seen in 100% of patients. Satellite lesions were noted in 6 eyes (20%) and an immune ring was noted in 3 cases (10%). The most commonly isolated agent was Fusarium in 9 eyes (50%), followed by Aspergillus in 6 eyes (33.3%), and Candida in 2 eyes (11.1%). At the end of follow up, final visual acuity varied from no light perception to 20/20. The significant predictors were initial visual acuity, size of infiltrate at presentation, male gender and advanced age. CONCLUSION: The key element in the diagnosis of mycotic keratitis is clinical suspicion on the part of the ophthalmologist. However, because of the potential serious complications, it is essential to identify the exact pathogen so as to initiate appropriate treatment in time and to thus improve the prognosis of this condition.