Demographic Characteristics, Contributing Risk Factors, and Prognosis of Keratitis in Eastern China: An in vivo Confocal Microscopy-Based Fifteen-Year Study.

PURPOSE

To investigate the demographic characteristics, contributing risk factors, and prognostic outcomes of keratitis (AK) in Eastern China in the recent 15 years using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This single-center, retrospective study included 145 patients (147 eyes) diagnosed with AK based on IVCM findings at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from April 2009 to September 2024. Demographic information, clinical features at presentation, contributing risk factors (if identified), treatment strategies, and final visual outcomes were retrieved in the medical records and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 51 years old, with 98.6% of infections being unilateral. Corneal trauma (62.1%) was the leading risk factor overall, whereas contact lens wear was the independent risk factor among children and adolescents. The most common clinical features at presentation were stromal infiltrate (60.6%) and deep stromal ulcers (36.5%). Anti-AK therapy was mainly composed of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), chlorhexidine, propamidine isethionate (Brolene) and metronidazole. Surgical interventions were required in 24 eyes, with evisceration/enucleation identified as an independent predictor of poor visual prognosis.

CONCLUSION

This study provides valuable epidemiological insights into AK in Eastern China, underscoring the need for improved prevention, early diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment protocols to guide clinical management.