Our experience with fungal keratitis in the northeastern United States appears to be different than those reported from other areas of the United States. Serologic positivity for HIV and chronic ocular surface disease were the most common associated risk factors followed by trauma, herpes simplex keratitis, and contact lens use. Candida species predominated, whereas filamentous fungi were uncommon.
The overall incidence of fungal infection following penetrating keratoplasty is low, but all cases in our study were associated with positive rim cultures. Whether prophylactic antifungal therapy would be of any benefit in the presence of a positive corneoscleral rim culture has not yet been determined.
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