RISK FACTORS, TREATMENT STRATEGIES, AND OUTCOMES OF ENDOPHTHALMITIS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE FUNGAL KERATITIS.

Purpose: To investigate risk factors, treatment strategies, and outcomes of endophthalmitis associated with severe fungal keratitis.

Methods: Data from 392 patients diagnosed with fungal keratitis were retrospectively examined. Patients had severe disease that was refractory to topical or systemic antifungal therapy, and the infection involved the endothelium or perforated the cornea. The incidence and risk factors for endophthalmitis, and treatment outcomes were evaluated.

Results: Thirty-seven of 392 patients (9.4%) had endophthalmitis. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following risk factors for endophthalmitis: topical steroid use (odds ratio [OR] = 6.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01-20.08), previous corneal laceration suturing (OR = 5.05, 95% CI: 1.11-22.93), large corneal ulcer size (≥10-mm diameter; OR = 4.43, 95% CI: 1.71-11.50), hypopyon (OR = 11.05, 95% CI: 2.12-57.55), and aphakia (OR = 15.45, 95% CI: 1.59-149.82). Thirty of the 37 eyes (81.1%) with endophthalmitis were saved by penetrating keratoplasty, vitrectomy, or intravitreal antifungal injection; 7 eyes (18.9%) were eviscerated.

Conclusion: Most patients with endophthalmitis secondary to corneal fungal infection were successfully managed by penetrating keratoplasty, vitrectomy, or intravitreal antifungal therapy. Multiple risk factors for endophthalmitis were identified. Timely diagnosis and risk factor assessment were essential for ensuring early surgical intervention for fungal keratitis-related endophthalmitis.