Clinical Profile of Bilateral Microsporidial Keratoconjunctivitis in Healthy Individuals-A Case Series With Long-term Follow-up.

PURPOSE

To describe bilateral microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in healthy individuals with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Six cases of smear-positive bilateral microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis were diagnosed and followed up during the study period August 2017 to January 2019. Associated risk factors, clinical features, coexistence with adenovirus, clinical course, and recurrence were studied.

RESULTS

The mean age was 36.6 years (range: 10-65 years). The mean duration of symptoms was 13.6 days (range: 7-60 days). Predisposing risk factors were present in 4 of 6 cases. The best-corrected visual acuity at presentation was ≥20/30 in all eyes except in one. Typical microsporidial epithelial lesions were seen in only one case. Persistent lesions, clinically resembling Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis in both eyes, were observed in 3 cases. The lesions in 5 eyes resolved with topical lubricants, and the remaining 7 eyes were treated with topical steroids and tacrolimus 0.03%. Complete resolution was seen in 5 eyes at the end of 1 month, and superficial scarring at the last follow-up was seen in 5 eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity was ≤20/30 in 3 eyes at the last follow-up. The mean duration of follow-up was 7.3 months (range: 3-12 mo).

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in healthy patients has an atypical presentation with prolonged course. Microsporidia could be implicated as potential candidates in the etiopathogenesis of Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis.