Abstract:Objective: To evaluate whether corneal collagen cross-linking improves the outcome of fungal keratitis. Methods: This was a retrospective clinical study. Patients (n=82) with fungal infected eyes were treated at Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, from November 2011 to December 2017. Corneal cross-linking was performed using the standard protocol after a multi-antifungal drug treatment failed to resolve the infection in patients. Main outcome measures: Clinical symptoms and corneal healing were examined using a slit lamp biomicroscope and an in vivo laser confocal microscope. Visual acuity improvement was also evaluated. Results: After 6 months to 3 years of follow-up, corneal scars eventually developed in 71 of 82 eyes. In 52 of 82 eyes, visual acuity improved. However, corneal melting was exacerbated and uncontrolled in 8 patients who immediately underwent corneal transplant surgery. In one patient, self-conjunctival transplantation was performed, and two others received a therapeutic corneal transplant due to recurrent inflammation and melting. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that corneal collagen cross-linking is an effective procedure to manage patients afflicted with fungal keratitis.
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