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.
Keywords: Candida albicans; Candida keratitis; Non-albicans; fungal keratitis; risk factor.