Post-traumatic ınfectious keratitis: clinical, microbiological, and visual outcomes.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the demographic, etiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with post-traumatic infectious keratitis and to assess treatment outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with post-traumatic infectious keratitis between 2016 and 2024 at a tertiary ophthalmology clinic. Data on demographics, mechanisms of injury, timing of presentation, clinical findings, microbiological results, treatment modalities and visual outcomes were reviewed.

Results: The mean age was 54.45 ± 18.06 years, with a distinct seasonal peak during the harvest period (July-September). Agricultural injuries (plant material, soil, and metal) were the primary causes. Corneal scraping cultures were positive in 8 patients (26.7%). Despite the relatively low culture positivity rate, likely due to prior antimicrobial therapy (33.3%), favorable visual outcomes (final visual acuity ≥ 0.5) were achieved in 66.7% of patients following prompt empirical antimicrobial therapy, with a mean final visual acuity of 0.71 ± 0.24.

Conclusion: Post-traumatic infectious keratitis is a significant occupational hazard, particularly during harvest seasons. Our study suggests that even when microbiological yield is low, prompt initiation of empirical fortified antibiotic therapy may result in favorable visual outcomes.