Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group
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2026 OMIG Abstract

POSTER PRESENTATION


Effect of Topical Corticosteroids in Severe Pseudomonas Aeruginosa keratitis: Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study

Bhupesh Bagga¹, Swetha Buggareddigari¹, Aiswarya Sasi¹, and Joveeta Joseph²

¹Shantilal Shanghvi Cornea Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India; ²Jhaveri Microbiology Center, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India

Purpose: To compare outcomes with or without adjunctive topical corticosteroids in advanced Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) keratitis.

Methods: In this retrospective comparative study (January 2020-December 2024), 62 of 498 patients with PA keratitis and infiltrate size >6 mm were included. Patients with mixed infections, mild-moderate keratitis, or very advanced disease requiring immediate therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK) were excluded. Patients with comparable clinical and demographic profiles received susceptibility-guided antibiotics and were divided into Group A (n=28, corticosteroids) and Group B (n=34, no corticosteroids).

Results: Mean age was 49+19 years; mean infiltrate size 7.2+1.7 mm x 6.9+1.9 mm; mean LogMAR visual acuity 2.4+0.4. Median time to steroid initiation was 13 (IQR, 6.5-16) days. Resolution with medical therapy alone occurred in 8 (28.57%) vs 3 (8.82%) eyes (p=0.004). Cyanoacrylate Glue was required in 15 (53.57%) vs 7 (20.58%) eyes, and urgent TPK in 5 (17.85%) vs 21 (61.7%) eyes (p<0.005).

Conclusions: Adjunctive corticosteroids may improve outcomes and reduce urgent TPK in severe PA keratitis.