Ocular infections after penetrating keratoplasty

Context Early diagnosis of ocular infections following penetrating keratoplasty (PK) depending on clinical presentation in addition to ancillary laboratory investigations facilitates preservation of useful vision and prevention of further intraocular spread. Aim The aim of this research was to study donor and recipient risk factors in post-PK ocular infections. Patients and methods This is an interventional prospective study. This prospective study was conducted in 34 patients who underwent PK under peribulbar anaesthesia from 2014 to 2016 in a tertiary hospital. Six patients developed signs and symptoms suspicious of postoperative infections. Inclusion and exclusion criteria are mentioned. MS excel was used for statistical analyses. Results The mean age was 53±18.04 years, ranging from 12 to 86 years with 24 (70.59%) male and 10 (29.41) female individuals studied. There were 24 (70.59%) right eyes and 10 left eyes (29.41). The mean age was 63.97±16.8 years among the donors. Six (17.64%) patients developed postoperative infections that included one patient with Pseudomonas aeroginosa keratoconjunctivitis, two patients with fusarium fungal keratitis and growth could not be established in the remaining three cases. Positive microbial identification by culture was possible in three (8.82%) patients. Conclusion Microbial identification was confirmed in three cases, and three cases were negative for growth. The risk factor found among recipients were vegetative injury, dust fall and eye rubbing, as well as taking a very hot bath. Graft clarity restoration significantly improved after topical management with fortified antibiotics and antifungal agents