Efficacy of fluconazole subconjunctival injection as adjunctive therapy for severe recalcitrant fungal corneal ulcer.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of 2% fluconazole subconjunctival injection as an adjunctive treatment in severe recalcitrant fungal corneal ulcer. DESIGN: Retrospective, non-comparative interventional case series. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 2007 to August 2007, the present study included six eyes of six patients with severe fungal corneal ulcer that did not respond to therapy with topical antifungal drugs, oral itraconazole (200 mg) twice a day and 10 microg intracameral amphotericin B. All of them were treated with 0.5 ml of 2% fluconazole subconjunctival injection twice a day as adjunctive therapy for 5 days then once a day till 14 days RESULTS: Three patients were successfully treated within 14 days. Two patients partially responded, and one of them underwent evisceration. The last patient did not respond to treatment and enucleation was done. Severe local and systemic side effects were not found. CONCLUSION: 0.5 ml of 2% Fluconazole subconjunctival injection can be a very useful treatment as adjunctive therapy for severe fungal keratitis, with a few mild complications, especially in cases of impending perforation or post operative such as glue application for ruptured cornea.