Clinical response of contact lens-associated fungal keratitis to topical fluoroquinolone therapy

PURPOSE: To report 5 cases of fungal keratitis associated with contact lens wear that resolved or significantly improved without antifungal therapy. METHODS: Observational case report of 5 patients with a history of contact lens wear who presented with infectious keratitis. Two patients had growth of fungal species on corneal microbiologic cultures, and of the remaining 3 patients, 2 showed fungal elements on confocal microscopy. All 5 patients exhibited growth of fungal species on contact lens microbiologic cultures. All patients received topical fluoroquinolone therapy as initial treatment. RESULTS: In 3 cases, of whom 2 were treated with moxifloxacin 0.5%, the keratomycosis resolved completely on topical fluoroquinolone therapy. One case was switched to topical tobramycin 14 mg/mL and cefazolin 50 mg/mL with complete resolution of the infection. The final case showed marked initial improvement on fluoroquinolone therapy but was subsequently treated with natamycin 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal keratitis associated with soft contact lens wear may occasionally present in a less aggressive form. Topical fluoroquinolone therapy may be an adjunct to the innate immune response in eradicating less fulminant keratomycosis.