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Globally, infectious keratitis is the fifth leading cause of blindness. The main predisposing factors include contact lens wear, ocular injury and ocular surface disease. Staphylococcus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Fusarium species, Candida species and Acanthamoeba species are the most common causal organisms. Culture of corneal scrapes is the preferred initial test to identify the culprit organism. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and in vivo confocal microscopy can complement the diagnosis. Empiric therapy is typically commenced with fluoroquinolones, or fortified antibiotics for bacterial keratitis; topical natamycin for fungal keratitis; and polyhexamethylene biguanide or chlorhexidine for acanthamoeba keratitis. Herpes simplex keratitis is mainly diagnosed clinically; however, PCR can also be used to confirm the initial diagnosis and in atypical cases. Antivirals and topical corticosteroids are indicated depending on the corneal layer infected. Vision impairment, blindness and even loss of the eye can occur with a delay in diagnosis and inappropriate antimicrobial therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microbial keratitis (MK) is a sight-threatening emergency. Delayed diagnosis and treatment may exacerbate the condition and infection may spread to the posterior segment with resultant endophthalmitis. We describe the presentation, management, visual outcomes and microbial profiles of MK-associated endophthalmitis presenting to a tertiary referral centre. Methods: Prospective collection of data on all patients presenting with presumed MK-associated endophthalmitis from 1997 to 2007, to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Outcome measures included: visual acuity, microbial profiles, and management strategy. Results: Thirty-seven cases of MK-associated endophthalmitis were identified over the study period, with a mean age of 73 years and 19 were male. Presenting acuities ranged from Snellen 2/60 to no perception of light (NPL). Thrity-four (91.9 %) patients had a prior history of ocular disease. Identifiable non-ocular risk factors were present in 31 (83.8 %), including steroid use, dementia, nursing home care or relative systemic immunosuppression. A culture positivity rate of 83.8 % was recorded. The most common organisms identified included: Streptococcal species in 12 (32.4 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 11 (29.7 %), and Staphylococcus aureus in eight (21.6 %). Final acuities ranged from 6/36 to NPL. Sixteen (43.2 %) eyes were eviscerated/enucleated as primary treatment. Overall, 23 (62.2 %) patients required evisceration/enucleation, of which nine (39.1 %) were due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and seven (30.4 %) to Streptococcal species (Streptococcal pneumonia). Conclusions: MK-associated endophthalmitis is a serious ocular condition occurring more frequently in elderly populations, and those with long standing severe pre-existing ocular disease. Visual outcomes are poor, often requiring evisceration/enucleation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimsTo characterise and correlate crystalline precipitations implicated in non-healing corneal ulceration in two patients with a previous history of acanthamoeba keratitis.Materials and methodsPersistence of acanthamoeba and secondary bacterial infection was excluded with negative corneal scrapes. Confocal microscopy identified crystal-like deposits within the corneal stroma. To investigate possible precipitating combinations, all concurrent treatments at the time of presentation were mixed in wells, with observation of precipitate formation. Precipitates were observed with phase-contrast microscopy, and subsequently characterised via crystallography techniques and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry.ResultsCombinations of dexamethasone 0.1% minims and chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% formed an amorphous material characterised by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry as an insoluble chlorhexidine salt. Combinations of chloramphenicol drops and timolol 0.5% formed a crystal identified via X-ray crystallography as santite (K(B5O6(OH)4).(H2O)2). This is a borate mineral identified in nature, arising from thermal springs, but never reported in biological tissues. Clinical improvement was observed following the cessation of the implicated precipitating combinations.ConclusionOur observations suggest iatrogenic precipitate formation, with a potential deleterious effect upon healing. The substrates for these precipitates include several frequently prescribed topical ophthalmic treatments. These findings shed new light on the aetiopathogenesis of non-healing corneal ulceration, and have broad implications on topical prescribing for this challenging condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]