Fungal keratitis is associated with which factors?

Fungal keratitis is associated with which factors?

• A. Exposure to vegetative matter, certain disinfection solutions, poor contact lens hygiene
• B. Exposure to plain water
• C. Wearing glasses
• D. Short-term antibiotic use

Answer: (B)

Fungal keratitis tends to occur when the corneal surface is breached and fungi gain access to the cornea. The strongest risk factors are disruption from trauma with organic or vegetative matter (like plant material or soil) and problems related to contact lens use, especially poor lens hygiene or using contaminated lens solutions. These exposures introduce fungal spores or create an environment where fungi can grow on the cornea. Exposure to plain water is more commonly linked to Acanthamoeba keratitis, not fungal keratitis, because amoebae in nonsterile water can contaminate contact lenses and invade the cornea. Wearing glasses doesn’t predispose to fungal keratitis, and short-term antibiotic use isn’t a primary initiating factor for fungal infections of the cornea ( though misuse of medications can affect the eye in various ways, it doesn’t by itself spark fungal keratitis as a usual trigger).

Fungal keratitis tends to occur when the corneal surface is breached and fungi gain access to the cornea. The strongest risk factors are disruption from trauma with organic or vegetative matter (like plant material or soil) and problems related to contact lens use, especially poor lens hygiene or using contaminated lens solutions. These exposures introduce fungal spores or create an environment where fungi can grow on the cornea.

Exposure to plain water is more commonly linked to Acanthamoeba keratitis, not fungal keratitis, because amoebae in nonsterile water can contaminate contact lenses and invade the cornea. Wearing glasses doesn’t predispose to fungal keratitis, and short-term antibiotic use isn’t a primary initiating factor for fungal infections of the cornea ( though misuse of medications can affect the eye in various ways, it doesn’t by itself spark fungal keratitis as a usual trigger).