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Purpose: To review the clinical features, risk factors, microbiological profile, and treatment regimens of fungal keratitis in Galicia, a region in Northwestern Spain with temperate humid weather. Patients and methods: A retrospective case series was employed, including patients with fungal keratitis from nine hospitals within the region of Galicia, Spain, between 2010 and 2020. Data obtained from clinical records were analysed. Results: Out of 654 cases of infectious keratitis, 77 cases (9.9%) were identified as fungal keratitis. The median age of affected patients was 68.0 years, with a higher incidence in rural areas (62.3%). Candida spp. infections were the most frequent type (55.8%) and were associated with a higher median age than were the non-dermatophyte mould infections. The primary risk factors included steroid eyedrop use (29.9%), recent keratoplasty (18.2%), ocular trauma (19.5%), and contact with vegetable matter (11.7%). Most ulcers displayed stromal involvement, and 37.7% presented corneal thinning. The median duration of infection was longer in fungal than in bacterial keratitis, and surgical intervention was required in 48.1% of cases. Conclusions: Fungal keratitis, mainly involving Candida spp., accounted for 9.9% of microbial keratitis cases in Galicia, Spain, with significant risk factors being topical steroid use, ocular trauma, and contact with vegetable matter. Delayed diagnosis often resulted in poor outcomes, highlighting the need for early detection through awareness and new technologies to improve prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report on the outcomes of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for corneal ulceration following infectious keratitis. Method: In this retrospective cohort study of 654 patients with culture-proven infectious keratitis from 8 hospitals in Galicia (Spain), a total of 43 eyes of 43 patients (6.6%) underwent AMT for postinfectious corneal ulceration. The indications for AMT were sterile persistent epithelial defects, severe corneal thinning or perforation. Results: AMT was successful in 62.8% of cases, with 37.2% requiring an additional surgery. Median time to healing was 40.0 days (IQR 24.2–101.7 days) and final BCVA was lower than baseline (p = 0.001). Ulcers were large (>3 mm) in 55.8% of cases. Previous herpetic keratitis and topical steroid use were more common in patients who received AMT (p < 0.001). 49 microorganisms (43 bacteria and 6 fungi) were isolated. Conclusions: AMT is a therapeutic option for complications following infectious keratitis, which present with a sterile persistent epithelial defect, significant corneal thinning or perforation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]