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Evaluation of intrastromal voriconazole injection in recalcitrant deep fungal keratitis: case series
  1. Namrata Sharma1,
  2. Prakashchand Agarwal1,
  3. Rajesh Sinha1,
  4. Jeewan S Titiyal1,
  5. Thirumurthy Velpandian1,
  6. Rasik B Vajpayee1,2
  1. 1Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
  2. 2Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Namrata Sharma, Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India; namrata103{at}hotmail.com

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the efficacy of intrastromal voriconazole, as a modality of treatment for management of recalcitrant fungal keratitis.

Methods Twelve patients of smear and/or culture positive fungal keratitis not responding to topical and systemic antifungal therapy were treated with additional intrastromal voriconazole therapy. Patients were given one or more intrastromal injection of voriconazole (50 μg in 0.1 ml) at the junction of clear cornea and infiltrates, using a 30-gauge needle in five quadrants to form a barrage around the ulcer. All patients continued to receive topical and systemic antifungal therapy.

Results The mean age of the patients was 47.58±15.13 years, and the mean time to presentation at the centre was 37.58±10.54 days. Organisms isolated were Aspergillus species (n=8), Fusarium species (n=3) and Curvularia (n=1). Of 12 eyes, 10 eyes healed with scar formation, and the mean resolution time was 39.75±7.62 days. Two corneas perforated and required therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. The best-corrected visual acuity was less than 20/1200 in all patients at the time of presentation, which improved to better than 20/400 in 10 eyes and 20/40 in eyes that underwent penetrating keratoplasty at the end of 24.75±2.14 weeks' follow-up.

Conclusion Intrastromal injection of voriconazole may be used as a modality of treatment for managing cases of recalcitrant fungal keratitis.

  • Cornea

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests None.

  • Patient consent Obtained.

  • Ethics approval Ethics approval was provided by the R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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