Clinical Analysis of Candida Species Keratitis: Predisposing Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Treatment Outcomes

Purpose: To investigate the epidemiology, predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment results of Candida species keratitis. Methods: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients who were diagnosed with Candida species keratitis (C. albicans [CA], 9 eyes; non-CA [NCA], 9 eyes) via corneal culture and hospitalized at Yeungnam University Hospital were included. The epidemiology, predisposing factors, initial clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Treatment success was defined as the successful healing of corneal lesions after medical intervention. Results: The mean age was 67.5 +/- 15.4 years and polymicrobial infection was observed in seven eyes (39%). The mean duration of symptoms was 23.9 days. The common predisposing factors were previous ocular surface disease (8 eyes, 44%), corneal trauma (8 eyes, 44%), and previous topical steroid use (7 eyes, 39%). Common initial clinical characteristics were round infiltration (13 eyes, 72%), hypopyon (8 eyes, 44%), and an initial best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of less than 0.1 (13 eyes, 72%). In terms of treatment outcomes, we recorded a mean corneal epithelial healing time of 23.5 +/- 18.9 days, a final BCVA <0.1 in 12 eyes (75%), and treatment success in 6 eyes (35%). Surgical treatments were performed in 11 eyes (61%), five of which experienced evisceration or enucleation. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics or treatment outcomes between the CA and NCA groups. In the treatment failure group, previous topical steroid use (64% vs. 0%, p= 0.04) was more common and symptom durations were relatively longer than in the treatment success group (31.3 vs. 13.5 days, p= 0.08). Conclusions: Our results showed that Candida keratitis is associated with old age, previous ocular disease, and surgical treatment. Compared with the group in which successful outcomes were achieved, the treatment failure group was associated with previous topical steroid use and longer symptom duration.