EPIDEMIOCLINICAL PROFILE OF INFECTIOUS POST-TRAUMATIC KERATITIS IN SOUTH TUNISIA
Published 2025 - 29th ESCRS Winter Meeting
Reference: PO180 | Type: Free Paper | DOI: 10.82333/sz2h-ar86
Authors: Yosra Maalej* 1 , sonda kammoun 1 , Mariem Lachtar 1 , mohamed jeribi 1 , omar ayedi 1 , Amira Trigui 1
1ophtalmology,CHU Habib Bourguiba de sfax,sfax,Tunisia
Purpose
The aim of this study was to analyse the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of infectious post-traumatic keratitis in southern Tunisia.
Setting
Ophthalmology Department of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital of Sfax .
Methods
A Retrospective, Descriptive, and Analytical Study
Results
Of 60 patients admitted to our department for severe corneal abscesses, 20 were identified as having a post-traumatic origin. The mean age of these patients was 58 years, ranging from 7 to 71 years, with a predominance of males. The majority of patients were from rural areas and agriculture was the most common occupation (50%). The primary traumatic agents were plant materials, accounting for 60% of the incidents (such as tree branches and leaves).
Several additional risk factors were identified: meibomitis was present in 65% of cases, dry eye syndrome in 20%, diabetes in 30%, contact lens wear in 15% and topical corticosteroid therapy in 10%. The size of the abscesses ranged from 3 to 12 mm², with central involvement in 40% of cases, paracentral in 45% and total in 15%. Abscess boundaries were classified as regular in 20% of cases and irregular in 80%, with traumatic ulceration observed in 100% of cases.
Only one case reported a pre-perforating descematocel, 3 cases showed an immune ring and 4 cases had satellite abscesses. Hypopyon was present in 45% of cases and developed during hospitalisation in a further 20%. Samples taken from 95% of the patients were positive in 50%, of which 20% were amoebic, 15% fungal , 5% bacterial and 10% polymicrobial.
Conclusion
Our study on the epidemiological and clinical profile of severe post-traumatic corneal abscesses in southern Tunisia shows that these abscesses represent 20-30% of all cases, with fungal infections being more common (60%) than bacterial infections. The abscesses had a larger size on admission and an increased prevalence of hypopyon. Traumatic corneal abscesses are serious, potentially blinding conditions that present significant management challenges. Understanding their clinical and epidemiological characteristics is essential for effective management. Ultimately, prevention is the most effective approach to reducing the incidence of these abscesses, highlighting the importance of awareness and protective measures.