Conjunctival Flap Surgery Research Articles

Conjunctival flap surgery for traumatic corneal ulcers

Introduction : Trauma was the most common risk factor for corneal ulcers and blindness. Death of corneal tissue due to loss of part of the surface of the cornea is called a corneal ulcer. Conjunctival flap (CF) surgery has an acknowledged role in assuring a stable ocular surface and repressing inflammation in compromised corneas or eyes with reduced visual potential.
 Case Illustration : 26-year- old male patient came to the Chasan Boesorie Ternate Hospital polyclinic with pain in the left eye after splash cement 3 days before being admitted to the hospital. The left eye is runny, feels itchy, looks red and like there is a block and glare. On ophthalmology status there was a visual acuity OD 6/6, OS 1/300, OS cloudy cornea, hypopion, prolapse of iris and central corneal ulcer with a size of ± 2 x 1 mm.
 Discussion : The remaining flaps were performed for corneal perforation, graft rejection, bullous keratopathy, and secondary corneal edema. Conjunctival flaps have previously proven to be effective in preserving the globe for individuals with severe ocular surface disease. The flaps promote nutrition, metabolism, structure, and vascularity, as well as reduce pain, irritation, inflammation, and infection. After 6 weeks of surgery visual acuity become better, OS 20/200.
 Conclusion : Conjunctival flap surgery is an important and useful surgical option of ocular surface disease, especially recalcitrant infectious keratitis and corneal ulcers, particularly in nonresponsive and some perforated cases. CF procedure went well, provides mechanical support for corneal wound healing with good visual outcomes on the patient.

Outcome of conjunctival flap surgery in case of non-healing corneal ulcer in a multi-specialty eye hospital of Northern Bangladesh

Background: This retrospective study evaluates the outcomes of conjunctival flap surgery for non-healing corneal ulcers at a tertiary eye hospital that were resistant to medical treatment. Methods: The study included 47 eyes of 47 patients with deep corneal ulcers who underwent conjunctival flap surgery in a multi-specialty eye hospital between April 2020 and January 2022. The follow-up period was 12 months. Primary outcome measures included the restoration of ocular surface integrity, while secondary outcomes assessed improvements in visual acuity and postoperative complications. Results: Among the 47 patients, 30 (63.82%) were male, and 17 (36.17%) were female, with a mean age of 52.13±14.91 years. The mean ulcer diameter was 4.52±2.02 mm, and the mean ulcer depth was 65±22.20% of the corneal thickness. An anatomic cure was achieved in 34 (72.34%) of the 47 eyes. Three eyes that failed to respond to conjunctival flap surgery required evisceration. Postoperative visual acuity improved in 15 eyes with peripheral ulcers. Common postoperative complications included flap retraction, flap necrosis, granuloma formation, and perforation. Conclusions: Conjunctival flap surgery is an effective treatment for non-healing corneal ulcers, providing ocular surface integrity and supporting corneal healing. It can potentially eliminate the need for emergency penetrating keratoplasty or prepare the eye for future optical keratoplasty.

Autologous simple conjunctival epithelial transplantation for primary pterygium

To evaluate the feasibility of a new method of conjunctival transplantation to achieve recovery of the normal conjunctival epithelium over the bare sclera after pterygium excision and prevent its recurrence. After excision of the primary pterygium, we performed simple conjunctival epithelial transplantation (SCET) in which we glued an amniotic membrane patch pre-loaded with tiny autologous conjunctival tissue fragments over the scleral defect. Slit-lamp evaluation was performed at 2 and 7-10days, and then at 1, 3, 6, and 12months after surgery, together with confocal microscopy at 3, 6, and 12months. Surgical excision and SCET for nasal primary pterygium were performed in 6 eyes (6 patients). No graft detachment occurred. An inflammatory granuloma was excised without sequelae in one patient 2months after surgery. No signs of recurrence or sight-threatening complications were recorded at 12months, and in vivo confocal microscopy showed progressive expansion of the conjunctival cell population and formation of a clear corneal-conjunctival transition. SCET takes advantage of the ability of the amniotic membrane and conjunctival cells to renew. Outcomes after SCET are comparable to conventional conjunctival flap surgery and can be achieved in less surgical time and with less donor tissue to be removed.

Efficacy of conjunctival flap surgery for deep corneal ulcers.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a selective, partial, pedicle conjunctival flap in the treatment of deep corneal ulcers with or without perforation, resistant to medical treatment.Method: This interventional self-controlled retrospective study included 31 eyes of 31 patients with deep corneal ulcers who underwent conjunctival flap surgery in a tertiary eye care unit between 2017 and 2019. Of these, 9 eyes exhibited corneal perforation. The follow-up period was 12 months. The primary outcome measures were restoring ocular surface integrity and secondary outcome measures were improvement in visual acuity and postoperative complications encountered. Results: Out of the total of 31 patients, 17 patients (55%) were males and 14 patients (45%) were females. The mean age was 56.03 ± 15.46 years. The mean disease duration was 64.10 ± 35.01 days, the mean diameter of the ulcer was 3.61 ± 1.02 mm and the mean depth of the ulcer was 70.65 ± 20.28% of the thickness of the cornea. The etiology was extensive and the corneal ulcers were categorized as infectious (12), noninfectious (16), and unknown (3). An anatomic cure was obtained in 29 (94%) of 31 eyes. Conjunctival flap surgery was unsuccessful in 2 eyes that required evisceration. The postoperative visual acuity (BCVA) improved in 13 (42%) of the 31 eyes, decreased in 9 eyes (29%) and remained unchanged in 9 eyes (29%). The most frequent complications after conjunctival flap surgery were pseudopterygium, cataract and corneal opacity and less frequent complications were glaucoma, astigmatism, flap retraction, corneal perforation and endophthalmitis.Conclusions: Conjunctival flap surgery can successfully treat refractory deep corneal ulcers. It can restore ocular surface integrity and provide metabolic and mechanical support for corneal healing. Also, it can avoid emergency penetrating keratoplasty or create appropriate conditions for a future optic keratoplasty.

Conjunctival flap surgery in the management of ocular surface disease (Review).

Literature regarding conjunctival flap surgery was reviewed to describe and discuss the rationale for this type of procedure. The conjunctival flap is an acknowledged surgery for the treatment of various corneal diseases with a chronically compromised ocular surface, such as severe dry eye, neurotrophic or neuroparalytic disease, or bullous keratopathy. The purpose of this surgery is to restore the integrity of the corneal surface and thus to prevent gradual corneal ulceration and secondary infection, as well as to ameliorate pain, reduce the need for frequent medications, improve cosmetic appearance, and offer an alternative to invasive surgery or enucleation. Since the introduction of more effective methods of treating severe ocular surface diseases, conjunctival flap surgery has rarely been the primary modality of treatment and has usually followed a range of medical and surgical treatments. The availability of improved ocular lubricants, more effective antimicrobials, bandage contact lenses, tissue adhesives, and other corneal and conjunctival surgical interventions, has reduced the need for conjunctival flaps. However, conjunctival flaps remain extremely useful in selected cases and deserve a place in the ophthalmologist's repertoire for the management of ocular surface disease.

Efficacy of autologous conjunctival flap on repairing the late-onset filtering bleb leakage.

To evaluate the effectiveness of autologous conjunctival flap surgery for repairing the late-onset filtering bleb leakage after trabeculectomy. This study retrospectively reviewed 106 eyes from 106 patients with late-onset filtering bleb leakage after trabeculectomy who received autologous conjunctival flap surgery at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre from 2005 to 2015. The basic information was recorded, and the interval time between trabeculectomy and autologous conjunctival flap surgery as well as related risk factors, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analysed. Moreover, 41 patients who completed the 1-year follow up were analysed to determine the IOP and BCVA changes and long-term success rates. The 50 male and 56 female subjects (average age 39.13±17.96y) included 47 (44.34%) and 33 (31.13%) cases of primary open angle and primary angle-closure glaucoma. The mean interval between trabeculectomy and repair surgery was 60.60±56.92 (3-264)mo. The mean mitomycin (MMC) concentration during trabeculectomy was 0.27±0.04 (0.12-0.4) mg/mL in the fornix-based conjunctival flap group (68 patients) and 0.28±0.04 (0.20-0.33) mg/mL in the limbal-based conjunctival flap group (11 patients). After bleb leakage, the patients' vision remained stable while the IOP decreased from 10.25±4.76 (3-20.86) to 9.44±4.33 (2-21) mm Hg (P<0.01). In the 41 analysed patients, the IOP was controlled at 15.68±5.11 (7-40) mm Hg in the 1st year after autologous conjunctival flap surgery and recurrence was not observed, for a long-term success rate of 100%. Autologous conjunctival flap repairing surgery is an effective technique for sealing filtering bleb leakages and controlling IOP postoperatively.

Clinical efficacy of conjunctival flap surgery in the treatment of refractory fungal keratitis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the use and effectiveness of a selective, partial, pedunculated (tongue-shaped) conjunctival flap (CF) for the treatment of refractory fungal keratitis (FK) with or without perforation. A total of 31 cases of corneal diseases treated by CF surgery between April 2014 and October 2015 were evaluated. Among the 31 cases, 16 cases (male:female, 11:5) with FK were selected. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with complications of CF surgery. A higher prevalence of FK was identified among male farmers compared with female farmers, in which plant trauma was the most prevalent cause of the disease. Only 4 patients had experienced corneal perforation prior to CF surgery. Patients aged 61–80 years had a higher prevalence of FK (50%) compared with other age groups; however, there was no statistically significant correlation between the prevalence of FK and sex or age. It was also demonstrated that age, sex, combined surgery and surgery duration were not significantly associated with post-surgical complications. All CF surgeries were performed following corneal ulcer scraping; however, 4 patients (12.5%) required additional surgery. The visual acuity of participants post-surgery decreased in 4 cases and remained unchanged in 12 cases. A total of 3 study patients experienced post-surgical complications of corneal perforation (1 patient) and purulent exudate spreading (2 patients). The post-surgical outcome was good for all study participants as the surgeries were able to control infection and preserve the eyeball, with the potential of future corneal transplant. These results suggest that CF surgery may be a useful alternative treatment for refractory FK in countries such as China where there is lack of cornea donors.

Effect of transverse conjunctival advancement flap surgery for primary pterygium

ObjectiveTo introduce a new surgical technique, transverse conjunctival advancement flap, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the technique in primary pterygium surgery. DesignRetrospective, noncomparative, interventional case-series analysis. ParticipantsSixty-three eyes of 63 patients. MethodsThe patients with primary pterygium were treated with transverse conjunctival advancement flap technique. After excision of the pterygium head and the perilimbal part of the pterygium body (within 2 mm from the limbus), the bare sclera was covered with the transverse conjunctival advancement flap using the conjunctiva of the remaining posterior part of the pterygium body. The patients were followed up for more than 6 months. ResultsThe mean age of patients was 64.9 ± 8.7 years (range 43–85 years), and the mean follow-up period was 9.8 ± 3.9 months (range 6–18 months). In all cases, surgery did not exceed 20 minutes. During the follow-up period, recurrence of the pterygium occurred in 1 (1.5%) of the 63 cases, with recurrence only in the conjunctiva. There was no occurrence of serious complications. ConclusionsThe transverse conjunctival advancement flap technique may be considered a safe and effective method, with a low rate of pterygium recurrence, after primary pterygium excision.

Clinical Features, Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles, and Outcomes of Infectious Keratitis Caused by Achromobacter xylosoxidans.

Reports on Achromobacter xylosoxidans ocular infections are increasing, drawing attention to its emerging role in infectious keratitis. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical features, antibiotic sensitivities, and visual outcomes of infectious keratitis secondary to Achromobacter xylosoxidans. A microbiology database and clinical chart review was performed in all patients diagnosed with A. xylosoxidans keratitis at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between the years 1987 and 2014. Initial presentation, antimicrobial susceptibilities, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), treatment course, and outcomes were recorded. Twenty-eight patients were identified. The main risk factors were corneal graft (n = 8, 28.6%) and contact lens wear (n = 8, 28.6%). On presentation, visual acuity was 20/100 or worse in 20 (71.2%) patients. Hypopyon was present in 7 (25.0%) patients. In most cases, topical fluoroquinolones or tobramycin were the initial treatment, often accompanied by vancomycin. High susceptibility rates were found for piperacillin [100%, minimum inhibitory concentration for 90% of isolates (MIC90) = 8] and ticarcillin (100%, MIC90 = 16). Low susceptibility rates were documented for ciprofloxacin (46.7%, MIC90 = 8), tobramycin (26.7%, MIC90 = 16), and gentamicin (20%, MIC90 = 16). One (3.6%) patient suffered endophthalmitis. Six (21.4%) patients underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty, and 2 (7.1%) patients had conjunctival flap surgery. Visual acuity at final follow-up was 20/100 or worse in 16 (57.1%) patients. Infectious keratitis caused by A. xylosoxidans is associated with poor visual outcomes. Fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides are not appropriate treatments for these ocular infections. Further studies are needed to define the clinical application of compound piperacillin and ticarcillin eye drops.

Long-term clinical outcomes of conjunctival flap surgery for calcified scleromalacia after periocular surgery.

The aim of this study was to investigate long-term clinical outcomes of conjunctival flap surgery for calcified scleromalacia after periocular surgery. We examined 73 surgical sites (nasal and/or temporal area) in 60 eyes from 43 patients who underwent conjunctival flap surgery for calcified scleromalacia arising from cosmetic wide conjunctivectomy or pterygium excision. Clinical outcomes, including the need for reoperation and development of complications, were evaluated over a long-term follow-up period. Morphological evaluations of the surgical area at final follow-up were performed using a total score for injection severity, ocular surface smoothness, and choroid visibility, and patients subjectively evaluated their cosmetic outcome using a scale of 0 (very poor) to 4 (excellent). The mean follow-up duration after final conjunctival flap surgery was 26.5 ± 6.8 months (range, 15-52 months). There were no cases of progressive scleral thinning or serious complications such as flap necrosis or scleral perforation. Only 3 surgical areas with an inferior flap required additional flap placement because of avascular sclera exposure. Minor complications such as conjunctival cyst, edematous flap, vessel engorgement, and flap hypertrophy were easily treated or spontaneously improved. Mean morphological score was 2.2 and cosmetic outcome score was 2.9, indicating almost "good" outcomes. Based on our long-term experience, we propose that conjunctival flap surgery may be a safe and satisfactory treatment for complicated calcified scleromalacia after periocular surgery.

Conjunctival Flap Surgery Using Calcium Plaque Scissors for Calcified Scleromalacia after Cosmetic Conjunctivectomy

목적: 미용적 결막절제술 후 발생한 공막석회화에 대한 결막피판술 시행 시 Calcium plaque scissors를 이용하는 방식의 장점을 연구 하고자 하였다. 대상과 방법: 미용적 결막절제술 후 발생한 공막석회화로 결막피판술을 받은 55안을 분석하였다. Surgical blade만을 이용한 30안을 Group 1, Calcium plaque scissors를 이용한 25안을 Group 2로 하여 미백 수술 후 기간, 병변 크기, 수술 소요 시간, 전후 시력을 비교하였다. 또한 추가적인 수술 시행 여부를 비교하고 전안부 빛간섭단층촬영계로 수술 전후 공막의 상태를 확인하였다. 결과: 55안은 결막피판술을 받을 때까지 3.9 ± 1.0년이 지났으며, 수술 후 5.2 ± 3.8개월까지 관찰되었다. 두 군에서 미백 수술 후 기간 및 병변 크기는 차이가 없었다(p=0.87, 0.49). 수술 시간이 Group 2는 17.5 ± 6.3분으로 Group 1보다(21.9 ± 8.5분) 짧았다 (p=0.03). 나안시력은 두 군에서 모두 수술 전후 유의한 차이가 없었다(p=0.53, p=0.20). Group 1에서만 공막이식수술이 1안, OlogenTM 삽입수술이 3안 시행되었다. 빛간섭단층촬영계 소견상 Calcium plaque scissors는 공막 손상을 최소화하면서 석회화 병변을 제거할 수 있는 방법으로 확인되었다. 결론: 미용적 결막절제술 후 발생한 공막석회화에 대해 결막피판술을 시행할 때 Calcium plaque scissors를 이용하여 제거하는 방법은 공막 손상을 최소화하여 추가 수술의 필요성을 줄여주었고, 수술시간을 단축하는 장점을 갖고 있다.

Repeated bevacizumab injections versus mitomycin C in rotational conjunctival flap for prevention of pterygium recurrence

Aims:To evaluate the efficacy of repeated bevacizumab injection in rotational conjunctival flap surgery versus rotational conjunctival flap with adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) or rotational conjunctival flap alone.Materials and Methods:Ninety eyes of 90 patients who underwent primary pterygium surgery with rotational flap were evaluated. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo conjunctival rotational flap alone (Group A) or conjunctival rotational flap with either 0.02% MMC application (Group B) or adjunctive subconjunctival 2.5 mg/0.1 ml bevacizumab injection (Group C). Each group consisted of 30 eyes. Recurrence rates at 9 months were evaluated.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in mean size of the pterygium across the limbus in terms of length (P > 0.5). The recurrence rates at 9 months were 26.6% (n = 8) in Group A, 13.3% (n = 4) in Group B, and 10% (n = 3) in Group C. The recurrence rates in Group B and C were significantly lower than in Group A (P =0.1806). The recurrence rates were similar in Group B and C (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Subconjunctival bevacizumab injection may decrease the recurrence rate of primary pterygium surgery with rotational conjunctival flap. Further studies with a larger population and longer follow-up period are needed to supplement this study.

A Comparison of Anchored Conjunctival Rotation Flap and Conjunctival Autograft Techniques in Pterygium Surgery

To compare conjunctival autograft and anchored conjunctival rotation flap techniques, in terms of recurrence and complication rates, after performing a primary pterygium surgery. Sixty patients who underwent pterygium surgery, which was performed on 1 eye (M:F = 25:35), either using conjunctival autograft (25 eyes) or anchored conjunctival rotation flap (35 eyes) techniques, were followed up postoperatively for a minimum period of 18 months. The anchored conjunctival rotation flap surgery was conducted by designing a conjunctival flap with a similar shape as that of the autograft, but with the preservation of the inferior limbal anchoring point (1 mm) by the incomplete cutting of the limbal area. After rotation of the flap around the anchoring point, the flap was tightened with sutures to cover the bare scleral area. Early postoperative complications, such as flap or graft edema and granuloma formation, were assessed. The recurrence rate of pterygium was evaluated, and a comparison was made between the 2 surgical techniques. The recurrence rate was 8.0% in the conjunctival autograft group and 8.6% in the anchored conjunctival rotational flap group (P = 0.659). However, the occurrence of flap or graft edema was lower for anchored conjunctival rotational flap surgery (14.3% vs. 72.0%, P < 0.001). No granuloma formation was observed in either group. The anchored conjunctival rotational flap surgery showed similar pterygium recurrence rates and a lower incidence of flap edema, while enabling simple recognition of flap orientation, compared with the conjunctival autograft technique.

Conjunctival Flap Surgery for Calcified Scleromalacia After Cosmetic Conjunctivectomy

To investigate the long-term clinical course of scleromalacia with calcified plaque as a complication of cosmetic conjunctivectomy with topical mitomycin C (MMC) application and to introduce a surgical method for this complication using calcified plaque removal and/or conjunctival flap surgery. Eleven patients (15 eyes, 17 lesions) were included in this retrospective study. The calcified plaque was removed with forceps and pterygium knife, and the thinned scleral lesion was covered with a conjunctival flap from an intact superior or inferior conjunctiva. There were no cases of scleral thinning or calcified plaque recurrence in patients who underwent conjunctival flap surgery. The mean interval between previous cosmetic conjunctivectomy with postsurgical topical MMC and the first surgical treatment for complications was 20.0 ± 6.4 months. The mean postoperative follow-up duration after last conjunctival flap surgery or calcified plaque removal was 11.6 ± 4.0 months. Scleral calcification and thinning progress as time passes after cosmetic conjunctivectomy with postsurgical topical MMC. Calcified plaque removal with conjunctival flap surgery can be an effective surgical management for this complication, returning blood supply to a thinned sclera.

Spontaneous corneal perforation in an eye with Peters&amp;#39; anomaly

A premature female infant underwent her first ophthalmologic examination at the age of 4 weeks. The initial examination of the baby was requested for evaluation of a ‘white spot’ on the surface of her right eye. She had been hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit because of systemic abnormalities, such as a right clavicle fracture and microcephaly. Slit-lamp examination of the right eye showed a central corneal opacity, corneal thinning, and an iridocorneal adhesion. The lens and fundus of the right eye could not be observed. We observed no pathologic findings in the left eye. The baby’s parents were informed of the high risk for spontaneous corneal perforation without external pressure. At 42 days of age, an ophthalmologic examination of the infant was again requested for evaluation of ‘tears’ from her right eye 3 hours previously. Examination revealed corneal perforation, iris protrusion, and a fat anterior chamber. We performed emergent conjunctival flap surgery. Three months following surgery, the patient’s right eye was successfully preserved with no sign of inflammation or leakage.

Fibrin glue for Gundersen flap surgery

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of fibrin glue in Gundersen flap surgery.DesignProspective case series.Study subjectsSeven eyes of seven subjects who had undergone Gundersen flap surgery from 2009 to 2011 at the Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore.MethodsReview of case records for outcomes after Gundersen flap surgery.Main outcome measuresSurgical success was defined as achieving a stable ocular surface. Complications to be noted included flap retraction or exposure of underlying corneal surface.ResultsSurgical success was achieved in all eyes with significant reduction in ocular surface inflammation. No retractions were noted and recovery was uncomplicated.ConclusionFibrin glue application is a viable alternative to sutures in Gundersen flap surgery. It reduces surgical downtime, gives faster ocular surface rehabilitation, and offers similar outcomes to conventional conjunctival flap surgery.

Le recouvrement conjonctival : une technique toujours d’actualité

To evaluate the technique of conjunctival flap for the treatment of ocular surface disorders. This is a retrospective study. Forty-three eyes of 43 patients had undergone conjunctival flap surgery performed during a 5-year period at the Rouen University Hospital. Thirty-one patients were followed regularly and could thus be included in this study. The indications and complications experienced by patients undergoing partial or total conjunctival flap surgery were reviewed. The surgical indication was tectonic for 15 out of 31 patients (48.4%) including six corneal perforations, analgesic for nine out of 31 patients (29.0%) and aesthetic for 7 out of 31 patients (22.6%). All the operated patients experienced clinical improvement with a decrease in their pain or inflammation of the ocular surface, or an excellent cosmetic result. Complications were encountered in 6 eyes among the 31 patients (19.4%), and four required surgical revision. Conjunctival flap is an underutilized technique. Its primary indication is ocular surface disease in eyes with poor visual potential. It represents an interesting alternative to more mutilating surgeries.

Surgically induced necrotizing scleritis after primary pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft

BackgroundAlthough pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft is a widely performed surgical procedure, surgically induced necrotizing scleritis (SINS) following such surgery is extremely rare.MethodsA 68-year-old man underwent nasal pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft uneventfully. On postoperative day 17, the conjunctival graft was avascular, with epithelial defect. Although topical steroid and antibacterial treatments were continued, the graft and sclera melted, with the ischemic sclera showing gradual thinning. The thinning area spread to the adjoining cornea, and active inflammation with epithelial defect was observed adjacent to the site of thinning.ResultsSystemic and microbiological examination was noncontributory. The patient was suspected of having SINS, and administration of oral prednisolone was started. Although the necrotic area was reduced temporarily, medication was discontinued due to nausea, and the area of thinning increased. Conjunctival flap surgery was later performed, and the graft was well accepted.ConclusionsSINS must be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with scleritis following pterygium surgery, especially if radiation or mitomycin C has not been used.

Rotational conjunctival flap surgery reduces recurrence of pterygium

We aimed to compare the recurrence rate following primary pterygium surgery using two different techniques, i.e. simple conjunctival closure (SCC) and rotational conjunctival flap (RCF). Postoperative discomfort and complications were also investigated in these patients.

Queratomicosis en un centro de atención oftalmológica en la Ciudad de México

Background Some of the most common precipitating events for keratomycoses (fungal keratitis) , include surgical trauma (after cornea transplantation), the use of contaminated contact lenses or alterations in lacrimal secretions. Diagnosis and treatment (to avoid loss of vision) for these type of infections are challenging. Objective Retrospective review of the diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology and response to treatment in 219 patients with fungal keratitis in Mexico. Methods We have studied the diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology and response to treatment in 219 patients from different states in the Mexican Republic in the Cornea Department at an Ophthalmology Hospital in Mexico D.F. Results Trauma was the precipitating event in 77 patients (36%), of which 12 (5.4%) were due to surgical trauma; 152 patients (64.8%) did not report any prior trauma. There were 165 male (75.3%) and 54 female (24.6%) patients, with an average age of 46 years old. For clinical and visual treatment patients were treated with topical and oral antifungals and surgery. One or more surgeries were performed on a total of 81 patients (36.9%). A total of 62 patients (28.3%) received a corneal transplant, and 19 patients (8.7%) were subjected to conjunctival flap or scleral-conjunctival surgery. Conclusions In Mexico, keratomycoses affect mostly male patients in a 4:1 ratio over females. Fusarium solani was the most frequent agent of fungal keratitis in our study (37.2%), and the highest number of corneal ulcers and eviscerations (26%) was present in patients infected by Aspergillus. The best therapeutic responses were with combination of topical antifungals against dematiaceous fungi.